Matas Buzelis to defend more on the perimeter as Bulls experiment with lineups

Matas Buzelis, who added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, has had to guard bigger forwards.

The added bulk has helped him endure the contact and dish out some of his own. But as the Bulls tinker with lineup configurations, Buzelis’ role might change. The Bulls have started pairing Zach Collins and Jalen Smith in lineups together to address some of the team’s rebounding woes.

But how the shift to small forward affects Buzelis will be worth monitoring. Offensively, coach Billy Donovan said, not much will change for him. He’ll still handle the ball in pick-and-roll settings and attack closeouts. Buzelis entered Sunday averaging 13.8 points and shooting 46.9% from the field.

But the learning curve will be more challenging defensively. Buzelis will have to guard more perimeter-oriented players.

“I think Matas has the foot speed and length to be able to do that,” Donovan said. “Certain guys will be a little bit more dynamic and [a] little bit more challenging, but I feel pretty confident with his foot speed and his length that he can guard multiple positions.”

‘Where are we?’

Donovan was flummoxed before the game.

He couldn’t understand why the Bulls have been getting outscored in transition while failing to attack the offensive glass. The Pelicans blitzed the Bulls for 143 points in their last matchup, thriving at the high-octane pace the Bulls try to impose on the opposition.

“The [Pelicans] have been incredibly dominant in the paint [and] incredibly dominant at the rim,” Donovan said. “Now that happens from a variety of reasons: [It’s] them playing off the bounce [and] getting to the rim; it’s the offensive rebounding; it’s the cutting, getting some layups. All those things coupled together have enabled them to put up some really remarkable numbers at the rim . . . so that’s going to be a priority.”

Donovan has been dismayed by his team’s lack of resistance in transition. The Bulls entered 22nd in offensive rebounding rate and 21st in points allowed per 100 possessions in transition. The key for the Bulls is to beat their opponents in transition at a breakneck pace.

“Where are we?” Donovan said. “So much of the game now is about [answering] back. Whether you score, [you’re] answering back on defense, or whether you get scored against, you’re answering back on offense. We’ve got to be better there.”

Banged-up Bulls

Guard Ayo Dosunmu (sprained right thumb) was out for the game against the Pelicans. Donovan said the hope is that Dosunmu can return Wednesday against the Cavaliers.

Guard Kevin Huerter (strained left adductor) returned to the lineup.

The Bulls have been bit by the injury bug, and Donovan said the team has seven players on a minutes restriction.

Guard Coby White is still on a minutes restriction as he works his way back from a strained calf, and guard Tre Jones (ankle) and Collins (left wrist) are still limited.