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Fading Trail Blazers visit surging Bucks

Mar 7, 2008 - 4:27 PM Portland (31-30) at Milwaukee (23-38) 8:30 pm EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Portland Trail Blazers' hot start is now a distant memory.

The fading Trail Blazers look to stay in the playoff race Friday when they open a five-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Portland had an impressive 13-game winning streak from December 6-30 which had the entire league taking notice.

However, the Blazers have lost 14 of 20 and are now 6 1/2 games back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Portland made a spirited effort Tuesday before coming up short in a 97-92 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Brandon Roy scored 25 points to pace the Blazers, who outscored the Suns by 14 points in the second half.

Portland has struggled against stiffer competition, going 2-4 during a stretch that included two games against the Los Angeles Lakers and one against the Boston Celtics.

The Bucks bare little resemblance to either of those two teams, but they have been playing well lately.

Milwaukee, which has won four of five, is coming off a 118-106 win over Seattle on Wednesday.

Charlie Villanueva scored a season-high 32 points for Milwaukee, which was without Michael Redd at the end. Redd left the game to get stitches after colliding with rookie Kevin Durant.

Portland won the first meeting on December 9, 117-113 in overtime, thanks to 26 points, eight rebounds and nine assists from Brandon Roy.