Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva returned to the lineup Friday night against the Phoenix Suns, while starting guards Mo Williams and Michael Redd are expected back within the next two weeks.

Villanueva, who checked in with 8:20 left in the first quarter, missed the previous 11 games and played just three minutes against Washington on Dec. 30 before leaving with right shoulder tendinitis. He played 30 minutes against the Suns, finishing with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds in the Bucks' 98-90 loss.

The Suns realize right now they might be too good for their own good.

Raja Bell scored 27 points, and the Suns set a franchise record with their 16th straight victory by beating the Bucks 98-90 on Friday night.

Shawn Marion grabbed 23 rebounds and Steve Nash had 16 assists for the seemingly unstoppable Suns, who have won 32 of 34 overall. They had a 15-game winning streak earlier this season, a run that ended with a overtime loss to Washington on Dec. 22.

Still, Nash was frustrated.

"There's no rings for streaks," he said. "We've had a tendency to really take people lightly and not be as focused as we need to be, and I think you saw that again from us tonight."

The National Basketball Association announced on Wednesday the rescheduling of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks game that was postponed on Saturday, Jan. 13. The Hornets and Bucks will make up that game on Tuesday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

Had this been last season, when the Trail Blazers finished with the league's worst record, they might not have been able to hold off the Bucks.

That was before the Blazers got rookie Brandon Roy.

Roy had a career-high 28 points, including a late jumper that helped preserve the Portland's 99-95 victory over the short-handed Bucks on Sunday night.

After coming to the Milwaukee Bucks last week in a trade that also brought point guard Earl Boykins to the team, Bucks guard Julius Hodge just wants to focus on reviving his basketball career.

"I definitely feel like it's a new beginning," Hodge said. "Being here with the Bucks, it's a great atmosphere, and I'm looking forward to the future."

"Coach (Terry Stotts) said I would get an opportunity to earn my minutes," Hodge said. "I just see it (the trade) as a blessing. I was kind of getting tired of being the hardest-working guy and not ever getting on the court to show it.

"As long as I continue to work hard, I know I will get my shot and be able to help this team."

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Larry Harris today announced the following information regarding the injury to forward Charlie Villanueva.

Yesterday, Monday, January 15, Villanueva?s right shoulder was re-evaluated by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, M.D., in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Andrews agreed with the plan to continue rehabilitation on the shoulder with the hope of Villanueva returning to basketball activity in one-to-two weeks.

The Miami Heat reportedly inquired about point guard Steve Blake before he was dealt to Denver last week, a Bucks official said.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Simmons had surgery Friday to remove a cyst from his right heel and address plantar fasciitis in the foot.

The 6-foot-6 Simmons is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season.

New Orleans' scheduled game Saturday night against Milwaukee was postponed after freezing rain, sleet and snow grounded the Hornets in Oklahoma City.

Steve Blake is expected to make his Nuggets debut tonight after being acquired in a trade Thursday that sent Earl Boykins and Julius Hodge to Milwaukee.

After getting over the initial shock of the news, Blake couldn't help but salivate at the opportunity to boost his assists numbers while playing alongside scoring machines Carmelo Anthony (31.6 points a game) and Allen Iverson (29.4).

"I definitely like to get other guys involved before I score. That's just the way I've always played," Blake said. "Whenever you're a point guard, if you've got someone like Iverson and Carmelo to pass the ball to, it's going to be even better."