MILWAUKEE — While this season's Milwaukee Bucks have not exactly been a picture of consistency, there have been a couple of constants, as coach Scott Skiles duly noted last week.

"We've shown that when we're really tuned in and we're competitive, we can beat anybody," said Skiles. "We've also shown that when we're not, we're not near as good obviously. "

Saturday night at the Bradley Center, the best and the worst of the Bucks were on display all in one game as they concluded their home stand with a 96-84 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bucks' record dipped to 31-40.

The Bucks played very well early as they scored the game's first nine points, led the entire first half and were ahead at halftime, 43-39. But the tide then quickly turned as Portland became the aggressor and the Bucks fell victim to a disastrous third quarter. Portland shot 52.6 percent and outscored the Bucks in the decisive third quarter, 30-17.

"I wish I could come up with a better term, but we were just very casual, very careless," said Skiles. "And give them a little credit. They noticeably picked up their intensity. It's something we need to know and need to understand that they're fighting for a playoff spot. And given a choice to relax or come out with energy, there have been games where we've chosen to relax a little bit. It's very difficult then when once the momentum starts going to get it back."

In the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers pushed their lead to 82-69 with 7 minutes 44 seconds left, and the Bucks got no closer than five after that.

Forward Charlie Villanueva led Milwaukee with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Richard Jefferson scored 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

Brandon Roy was outstanding for Portland, scoring 30 points, while Steve Blake sank 6 three-pointers and added 21 points for the Trail Blazers, who made 11 three-point baskets. Center Joel Przybilla grabbed 14 rebounds for Portland.

It was the final game of a five-game trip for Portland, which is eyeing its first playoff berth since 2002-'03.

The Bucks concluded their six-game home stand with a 2-4 record and head out on a four-game trip beginning Wednesday in Toronto. It will be the Bucks' first road game in nearly three weeks.

As it turned out, home was not so sweet for the Bucks.

"Look at the home stand and look at the people we played," said Jefferson. "We played against some quality teams. We didn't play as well as we would have liked, but I don't look at disappointments and failures. Those aren't words I use when describing our team. We just didn't get it done against one of the best teams in the league."

Playing their fifth game in seven days on the road, the Trail Blazers missed their first five shots as the Bucks ran out to a 9-0 lead. Limiting Portland to 35.0 percent shooting, the Bucks took a 24-18 lead into the second quarter.

A layup and two free throws by Dan Gadzuric helped the Bucks extend the lead to 29-20 early in the second quarter. The Bucks led the rest of the way and led at halftime, 43-39.

The game turned dramatically in the third quarter. With the Bucks turning the ball over and unable to make a shot, Portland outscored the Bucks, 15-3, in the first 6 minutes. The Bucks made one of their first 11 shots.