Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics: 5 Takeaways from the Season Opener

6 of 6

Jimmy Butler and Robin Lopez, Chicago Bulls

Oct 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (left) and center Robin Lopez (right) fight for a rebound against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (center) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Bulls pounded the Celtics on the window

Sure, the outside shooting from the Bulls played a big difference in the win, but a huge reason why the Bulls pulled out the victory was their rebounding.

Next: Bulls-Celtics: Instant analysis and thoughts on 105-99 win

Earlier, I mentioned the Wade/Butler duo outrebounded the C’s on the offensive glass by themselves. The team difference was even worse.

The Bulls pulled down 18 — count ’em — 18 (!) offensive rebounds to Boston’s three. They pulled down 55 total rebounds on the night, compared to the Celtics’ 36 total boards. (The Bulls also had 18 second-chance points.)

No Bulls starter had less than six rebounds total (Gibson led the starters with 10), while the bench pulled down 18 total rebounds themselves. The C’s weren’t great from deep (8-for-23 on the night), but they shot 50 percent from the field on the night (38-for-76). The Bulls pulling down that many rebounds was huge for them in their season-opening win.

At one point late in the third quarter, the Celtics were 15-of-19 shooting in the paint. The Bulls needed every single one of those 55 rebounds.

Home/Bulls News