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Knicks face Bucks, aim to avoid ninth straight loss

Feb 9, 2008 - 11:44 AM New York (14-36) at Milwaukee (19-31) 8:30 pm EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks try to avoid their ninth straight loss when they visit the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

The Knicks had a golden opportunity to break out of their slump on Friday but managed to blow a 18-point third-quarter lead en route to a 99-93 overtime loss to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.

New York's current eight-game slide is its second this season. However, the Knicks have not lost nine in a row since March 19-April 4, 2006 during the their one deplorable season under Larry Brown.

Despite the slide, New York has had success against Milwaukee recently, winning each of the last three meetings and four out of the last five - including a 91-88 victory the last time the two teams met on November 30.

The Bucks will have a hard time ending their woes against the Knicks with guard Michael Redd and forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons all battling various injuries.

The Bucks' leading scorer at 23.0 points per game this season, Redd may return on Saturday after missing six straight games with a strained left knee.

All four players missed Wednesday's contest as the Bucks suffered their fourth setback in five games, 107-96, to the Dallas Mavericks.