Chris Paul not pleased with Clippers' defense

Everyone takes losing streaks hard, but Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul knows exactly why the Clippers have lost four straight -- they aren't playing defense.

"Our defense is just terrible, it's horrible, it's almost embarrassing," Paul told ESPN on Monday night after a 105-98 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.

It was the third time an opponent has scored more than 100 points in the four-game losing streak. The Clippers are 11th best in the league, with opponents only scoring 95.6 points against them. During the four-game losing streak, they are giving up an average of 103 points.

Paul is aware of what happens if the team continues to put up poor defensive numbers. In the past two games, the Clippers' opponents have shot better than 50 percent from the field.

"The fact that teams feel like that they can come down and score on us every night, we can't play like that," Paul said. "You're not going to win consistently. We got to take more pride in it, whether it's home or on the road. Guys can't look into our eyes and feel like they can get by us. That starts with all of us."

Since acquiring Chris Paul at the start of the 2011-2012 season, the Clippers have had a winning turnaround. They currently sit tied with the Golden State Warriors at 8-6 on top of the Pacific Division. Paul says the team needs to get used to teams coming at them harder because they are on top of the standings.

"We have to play with a sense of urgency and understand that when you're not a great team in this league, teams come into your city and it's whatever, but we have a target on our backs," Paul said. "We have to play like that."

The Clippers' next two games come against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Sacramento Kings, two teams at the bottom of their divisions.