Knicks visit hapless Bucks

Milwaukee suffered its sixth consecutive loss with Friday’s 98-90 setback at home to the red-hot Phoenix Suns. Charlie Bell scored 21 points for Milwaukee, which is 9-8 as the host this season and last in the Central Division.

Earl Boykins scored 18 points and Charlie Villanueva added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Ersan Ilysova also scored 13 points and grabbed seven boards for the Bucks. Villanueva returned after missing 11 games with tendinitis in his shoulder.

The Bucks have dropped four in a row at the Bradley Center.

Meanwhile, New York halted a two-game skid with Friday’s 116-96 victory over the defending champion Miami Heat.

Jamal Crawford recorded a career-high 52 points, hitting 20-of-30 from the field and 8-of-10 from behind the arc, to lead the Knicks. Channing Frye added 16 points, while David Lee scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Stephon Marbury tallied 13 assists and nine points in the win.

The Knicks are 8-13 away from Madison Square Garden this season. New York center Eddy Curry (strained left calf) is questionable for Sunday’s game against Milwaukee.

Sunday’s game between New York and Milwaukee is the second of four meetings this season. The Knicks won the first encounter, 115-107, on December 9 at Madison Square Garden.

Milwaukee has won four of six and five of the last eight meetings.

New York has lost five of seven and six of its last 10 at the Bucks.