Maybe it’s because the Lakers were stunned by the Clippers the last time they met, perhaps it’s because Pau Gasol was back and Chris Kaman was missing, maybe it’s a little bit of both?

Whatever, the reason, the Los Angeles Lakers pummeled their hometown rivals by 40 points, 126-86.

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Pau Gasol returned from a six game absence, scored 20 points and pulled in 6 rebounds including hitting all 12 of his free throws. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, and Andrew Bynum had 20 points and 7 rebounds for the Lakers.

Nine days after the Clippers ended a nine-game losing streak to the Lakers, Bryant’s club posted its largest win of the season and its biggest margin of victory over the Clippers since the Staples Center’s co-tenants moved up from San Diego in 1984.

After a tight first half, the Lakers built their lead in the second half, outscoring the Clippers by 19 points in the third quarter, and a total of 37 points in the final two quarters.

The Clippers were led by Eric Gordon and Craig Smith’s 17 points.

Gasol has missed 17 games this season, but in the 23 games he has played the 7-0 forward/center from Barcelona, Spain has averaged 17 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 blocks.