Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

After leading by as many as 17 points early in the second quarter, the Clippers on Saturday night settled for a five-point lead (55-50) over the Atlanta Hawks at halftime at Staples Center.

Chris Paul led the Clippers (40-20 with 15 points and seven assists, Paul Pierce scored 11, Jeff Green had 12 points with J.J. Redick scoring eight.

Jeff Teague led Atlanta (34-28) with 10 points and three assists and Dennis Schroder scored 10 off the bench.