The Milwaukee Bucks assembled Thursday afternoon for practice at the Rose Garden for a perspective check.

Saddled with the first two-game losing streak of the season, the Bucks could not have begun their four-game Western Conference trip in worse - or more disparate - fashion.

They were just two points down in the fourth quarter Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers before losing by 19. The margin of defeat was much worse than reality suggested.

But Wednesday night at Phoenix, the Bucks trailed by 36 points before eventually losing by 20. That margin was far too kind as a final representation of the no-effort, awful performance offered against the Suns.

As might be expected, the off-day preparation for the game against Portland tonight was contentious at times. As he came off the court, forward Darvin Ham only half-joked about the need to watch his back for the way he went after some of his teammates during the two-hour session.

"We're a little vinegary," coach George Karl said. "We're a little (ticked) off."