(Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers began a crucial stretch of five consecutive road games when the playoff hopefuls visit the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at the Bradley Center.

Portland enters this trek 6 1/2 games out of a playoff spot in the well- stocked Western Conference and has fallen back in the race because of 10 losses in its last 13 outings. The Blazers also haven't started off March very well, as the club has dropped back-to-back contests to Golden State and Phoenix to begin the month.

The Trail Blazers suffered a 97-92 defeat to the Suns Tuesday at the Rose Garden, failing to overcome a 19-point halftime deficit.

Brandon Roy paced Portland with 25 points and Travis Outlaw netted 14 in defeat.

For the Blazers to gain ground in the playoff race, they'll have to improve their play on the road. Portland is a woeful 9-21 away from home on the season and has lost eight of its last nine as the visitor.

The Trail Blazers continue their trip Saturday in New York and will also take on Cleveland, Minnesota and Sacramento on the swing.

Milwaukee continues a three-game homestand tonight that began with Wednesday's 118-106 victory over Seattle. Charlie Villanueva led the way with a season- high 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help the Bucks stop a three-game slide.

Andrew Bogut had 21 points and 13 boards for the shorthanded Bucks, who played without the services of guard Mo Williams (abdominal strain) and rookie forward Yi Jianlian (sprained left ankle). Yi will miss tonight's contest as well, while Williams is questionable to return to the Milwaukee lineup.

The Bucks also lost leading scorer Michael Redd in the third quarter to a nose laceration, although the sharp-shooting guard is expected to be available tonight.

Milwaukee, which concludes this home stretch against Philadelphia on Sunday, has won four of its last five at the Bradley Center and is a solid 17-12 at home this season.

Portland won the only previous meeting between these teams in 2007-08, posting a 117-113 overtime decision at the Rose Garden in December.