But Celtics coach Doc Rivers was quick to draw a distinction.

Even though Jennings can score like few players at any position, he really is a point guard first.

``I've been impressed with his tempo, because he has great speed, but he's really not a shot first guard, though a lot of people think he is because of the (55-point) game,'' said the Celtics coach. ``I know that gave people a reason to think that, but I watched that game and there was a stretch where he scored 18 points in a row, and then he came out and threw three great passes. He understands that.''

Jennings certainly understood the importance of setting up his teammates early last night, for the Celtics , even with Kendrick Perkins guarding the post, appeared to take their eyes off Andrew Bogut.

The Bucks center rolled to the basket for a 12-point, 6-of-8 first quarter, with three of the hoops coming off running hooks.

Jennings was scoreless until the last play of the quarter, when he drove and converted a three-point play for a 27-26 Milwaukee lead.

Though the Celtics were making a higher percentage of their shots, the Bucks were taking more, and taking the lead as a result.

Milwaukee secured the lead four times over the first half of the second quarter before the Celtics finally forced a Bucks timeout.

Rajon Rondo rebounded a Kevin Garnett miss and threaded a pass through the lane to Perkins for a dunk.

Ray Allen coasted down the floor two possessions later with a fast-break layup for a 41-40 Celtics lead.

Two possessions later Garnett hit from the key, and after Luc Richard Mbah a Moute converted a three-point play, Rondo assisted on his third straight Perkins hoop.

But the Celtics struggled to carve out any space.

Carlos Delfino cut the margin to 47-46 with a 3-pointer, Garnett hit a pair of free throws, and Jennings had the last say by hitting a floater with 1.5 seconds left that cut the Celtics halftime edge to 49-48.

The Bucks trailed by a point despite combined 7-of-24 shooting from Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova.