Like old times for the Lakers

It could hardly be considered a milestone, more like a return to normalcy.

The Lakers crushed the Clippers on Friday, 119-82, and clinched the season series, an actual departure from recent history.

After almost a decade of Lakers dominance, the teams split the last three season series, a testimony to the rise of the Clippers and decline of the Lakers, who couldn’t even advance far enough in the 2006 playoffs to create a “Hallway Series” with their Staples Center co-tenants.

But times have changed. Or simply reverted back.

Derek Fisher led a steady attack with 17 points and the Lakers took their largest victory over the Clippers since a 126-92 laugher in November 1986, the Clippers’ third season in Los Angeles.

Of greater importance, the Lakers (44-18) moved half a game ahead of San Antonio (43-18) for first place in the Western Conference. The Spurs lost Friday against Denver, 109-96.

“Our goal was to finish in the top four in this league,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “It’s a realistic goal at this time to try and do that.”

The Lakers went 31-5 against the Clippers from 1995 to 2004, but the Clippers pushed back in recent seasons.

On Friday, the Clippers got pushed around the court, falling behind the Lakers in the season series, 3-0, with one more game between the teams next month.

Fisher, Kobe Bryant (16 points) and Pau Gasol (10 points) did not play in the fourth quarter. All five Lakers starters finished in double-figure scoring, with seven in all.

The Lakers shot a crisp 54.1%, ripping through the Clippers’ defense with ease. In fact, Luke Walton (seven points, three-for-nine shooting) was the only Laker not to make at least half of his shots.

The Lakers also made a season-high 14 three-point baskets in only 23 attempts, a striking 60.9% from long range.

The only question left was whether the Lakers would get their largest victory over the Clippers in the 38-year history of the Clippers’ franchise.

It didn’t happen. The Lakers led by as many as 40 but came no closer to their 137-91 victory over the San Diego Clippers in November 1979.

The Lakers moved 23 games ahead of the Clippers (20-40) in the Pacific Division.

The somber news extended beyond the court for the Clippers, who learned that point guard Shaun Livingston probably would miss the entire season after an examination revealed tendinitis in his surgically repaired left knee.

Livingston, who has not played this season because of a dislocated kneecap and three torn knee ligaments, will scale back his on-court activities for four weeks.

Corey Maggette (22 points) and Chris Kaman (14 points) were the only Clippers starters with more than eight points. Rookie Al Thornton had two points, his lowest total since Jan. 2.

“We could have given a better effort than that,” said Tim Thomas, who was scoreless in 15 minutes. “What was the final by? Forty? Thirty? That’s unreal.”

Like their last game against each other, the score was relatively close at halftime -- 49-41, Lakers -- before the Clippers faded. Vladimir Radmanovic emerged from a two-point first half and scored eight points in the first 2:45 of the third quarter for the Lakers.

From there, the lead swelled to as many as 29 in the quarter, which ended with the Lakers ahead, 84-57.

“It’s a great feeling when you do your work and you put a team away early and then you’re able to rest up,” Gasol said before taking a wide-angle view of things. “It’s very exciting to have this opportunity. . . . I’m thrilled by it and I want to continue to enjoy it.”

The score got out of hand, but Lakers fans continued to be entertained by Coby Karl, who made two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, leading to a chorus of “Co-by, Co-by” chants.

It was that kind of night. The “Battle of L.A.” didn’t turn out to be much of one.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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THE WEST

The top eight teams qualify for the Western Conference playoffs, beginning with the three division leaders:

*--* Team W L PCT GB 1. LAKERS 44 18 710 -- 2. San Antonio 43 18 705 0.5 3. Utah 41 22 651 3.5 4. New Orleans 42 19 688 1.5 5. Houston 41 20 672 2.5 6. Phoenix 40 22 645 4.0 7. Dallas 39 23 629 5.0 8. Golden St. 38 23 623 5.5 9. Denver 37 24 607 1.0 10. Portland 32 30 516 6.5 11. Sacramento 27 35 435 11.5 12. CLIPPERS 20 40 333 17.5 13. Seattle 16 46 258 22.5 14. Memphis 15 46 246 23.0 15. Minnesota 13 48 213 25.0 *--*