Bucks 99, Celtics 88
Brandon Jennings piled up 21 points, 13 assists and six steals as Milwaukee locked down on the defensive end and spoiled Boston’s home opener.
Tobias Harris added 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Monta Ellis scored 14 points for the Bucks, who beefed up the front line in the offseason in an effort to improve the team’s overall defense. They forced 18 turnovers in their first test.
Rajon Rondo collected 14 points and 11 assists and Kevin Garnett led the way with 15 points for Boston, which dropped to 0-2 and has surrendered 219 points in the process. The Celtics ranked second in the NBA in scoring defense last season.
Milwaukee caught the Celtics flat in the first half and built up a 46-30 lead at the break. Jennings had 15 points in the half as the Bucks limited Boston to 12-for-40 (30 percent) from the floor.
The Celtics picked things up offensively in the third quarter but the Bucks scored right with them, putting up 30 points in the frame and cruising to the finish.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Milwaukee’s reserves outscored Boston’s bench, 37-31. … Celtics G Leandro Barbosa, who scored 16 points in as many minutes in Tuesday’s opener at Miami, was held to two points in just seven minutes on Friday. … The Bucks scored 52 points in the paint and outrebounded Boston 46-36.