CHICAGO — It’s back to work and back to the basics. The Nuggets practiced Tuesday with an eye toward figuring it all out.
“I don’t know how much we have to dig, but we have to find a way to wake up and win some games,” forward Danilo Gallinari said. “Because we definitely can’t keep doing what we’re doing and playing the way we’re playing.”
Everyone around the team has a theory about how to snap out of a slump that has reached seven consecutive losses.
The opinion that matters most belongs to the coach, Michael Malone. One of his initial thoughts is the will to win, team-wide, must improve.
“It’s something that we’re just going to have to keep pounding that rock,” Malone said. “I’m not going to go away. I’m going to work my (butt) off to get this turned around. And I’m going to find the guys that are willing to do whatever it takes to change the results of the last seven games, because it’s unacceptable for us.”
He isn’t alone.
“We have to put in more effort,” Gallinari said. “It’s not about making a shot, or offense or defense. It just starts from the beginning of the game. We have to have it in ourselves and want the game more than the other team.”
The schedule hasn’t helped a young team searching for positives. The combined record of the teams the Nuggets have lost to during their seven-game losing streak is 82-44 (.650). And while the schedule eases up soon, it won’t be in the next two games, when the Nuggets face two of the Eastern Conference’s best: the Chicago Bulls, who knocked off San Antonio on Monday night, followed by the Toronto Raptors.
Still, this skid isn’t about the opponents. The Nuggets know they have to play much better to be in a position to win.
Malone blamed himself for the tailspin and vowed to work harder to pull the Nuggets out of their malaise.
“Right now, the reality is when teams go on runs against us, we fold,” he said. “We’re not mentally tough enough to withstand a run and counter with our own.
“We can do it in short stretches, but sooner or later that levee is going to break and we’re not handling it like we need to. And, again, I’m going to put it on me. As the head coach of this team, I must do a better job. Whether it’s finding five guys who are going to play the right way, whether it’s helping us offensively, helping us defensively, it’s my job to help this team a lot more than I’ve been doing lately.”
Shoring up the defense to get back into a higher pace and, by extension, help the offense, is a priority.
The Nuggets (6-12) have averaged 78.3 points in the past three games on a frigid 39.2 percent shooting.
“We’re not a half-court team. We have to get out and run,” point guard Emmanuel Mudiay said. “But we have to get stops. We have to be able to run for us to be able to be in the game.”
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or @dempseypost
DENVER AT CHICAGO 6 p.m. Wednesday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Doug McDermott:
After a rookie season to forget, a coaching change has breathed new life into the offensive-minded McDermott, who in coach Fred Hoiberg’s “spread ’em out and hit 3-point shots” offense is starting to thrive. In 15 games, is averaging 20 minutes a night and 9.0 points while shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point range.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets:
Starting shooting guard Gary Harris said he is feeling better as he recovers from concussion-like symptoms, but he did not practice Tuesday and is doubtful to play in the game. …. The Nuggets have had some success in recent years in Chicago. They are 7-8 at the United Center since the 2000-01 season. … Nuggets lead assistant Ed Pinckney returns to Chicago for the first time since being part of the Bulls staff under then-coach Tom Thibodeau.
Bulls:
Injuries are robbing Chicago of some depth. Forward Mike Dunleavy is out of the game with a back injury. Point guard Aaron Brooks, who played for the Nuggets briefly two seasons ago, is questionable with a left hamstring strain. Guard Kirk Hinrich is also questionable, with a left hip pointer. … The Bulls have won three consecutive home games, including a victory against San Antonio on Monday night.
