Disappointing is the only word to describe the LA Clippers over the last four games. The team was hoping to use this stretch to gain momentum as the 7th seed; instead, they've lost the last four games straight against the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, and the New Orleans Pelicans again.

Their most recent loss against the Pelicans is somehow even worse than their loss on Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Clippers decided to play both Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland, but still got blown out. On Thursday, LA came in shorthanded but missed 13 free throws in a game that they only lost by 6 points.

The Pelicans gave the Clippers chance after chance to close the game, but LA just refused to make any freebies in the fourth quarter.

As a result, the Clippers are now two games under .500 and essentially tied for the 9th and 10th seed with the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers. With the Suns also being on a four-game losing streak, there was a realistic shot at the Clippers being the 7th seed.

Lue's analysis of the game was as straightforward as what many fans would have had. The Clippers missed 13 free throws and could barely capitalize in transition after securing defensive stops.

"I thought we scrapped," Lue said. "Missed a lot of free throws, we didn't convert in transition, it hurt us. Had a lot of opportunities, having an advantage three-on-twos, two-on-ones, four-on-twos, and just not capitalizing in transition. That's been a theme of the last three or four games; we haven't really been good in transition."

Despite the incredibly disappointing loss, Lue still believed his team competed at a high enough level to win the game and scrapped.

"Missing 13 free throws, turning it over 16 times, overall I thought our guys competed at a high level, we just didn't execute," Lue admitted.

There were a few bright spots for the shorthanded Clippers against the Pelicans, which were the play of Derrick Jones Jr., John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Isaiah Jackson. In the case of Collins, Lue spoke of his positivity despite being on a four-game losing streak.

"Just a positive spirit," Lue said of Collins. "Down on himself because he missed some easy shots, missed some free throws, but I thought his energy, rebounding the basketball, running the floor, getting to his post-ups, it's going to come - he's been out for a little while. I thought in the huddle, just being positive and bringing that positive energy."

Unfortunately for the Clippers, it's going to take more than positive spirit to get them out of this horrible losing streak. It's going to take playing legitimate interior defense, making free throws, and actually playing successful transition basketball.

The most important thing, though, is having a healthy Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, and Bennedict Mathurin. Time is ticking.