Malone on four-game losing streak: Nothing is coming easy right now

Everything is under the microscope when you’re mired in a four-game losing streak.

Whether it’s the offense that has crumbled in crunchtime or a defense that can’t contain anybody, everything is fair game.

On Wednesday, the Nuggets were back in the gym dissecting their problems. A night earlier, Houston had picked apart their defense, exploiting numerous pick-and-roll coverages.

Their most pressing issues, which really started after last week’s loss to Memphis, are found on the defensive end. First they yielded a late lead and allowed a game-winner to Brooklyn’s Caris LeVert. Next they conceded a career-high eight 3-pointers to Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez. And on Tuesday night, the Nuggets were sliced by James Harden & Co. in the second half.

Since their losing streak started, the Nuggets have the secondworst defensive rating of any team in the NBA. Their overall defensive ranking, which was No. 1 just two games ago, has dropped to No. 6 overall.

“It’s a little regression, but it’s a long season,” veteran forward Paul Millsap said. “It’s just getting back to our principles, getting back to our roots.”

Nuggets coach Michael Malone distilled the issues even further after practice Wednesday.

“Last four (games), the defense just fell off big time,” Malone said. “And there are a lot of things to that, a lot of levels. It’s one-on-one