Mall cops run the NBA

We have ball boys and players calling out spills all getting techs.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

Man Removing a Plaster, Representing the Sense of Touch; Lucas Franchoys the Younger; 1600s

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Scores

Friday

Hornets 98, Sixers 108 — History shows that Joel Embiid could be on crutches and still put 30 on the Hornets.

Bucks 101, Cavaliers 124 — Dame Lillard sat so this isn’t clear-cut confirmation that despite the NBA Cup title the Bucks still aren’t in the same universe as the Cavaliers and Celtics. However … the results are the results.

Thunder 104, Heat 97 — OKC signed Alex Caruso to a 4-year, $81 million extension over the weekend. It was the earliest an extension could get done, and this was the maximum amount for such an extension before Caruso became a free agent this summer. It should have fairly minimal impact on the Thunder’s ability to pay young players going forward. The deal will end up tripling Caruso’s lifetime earnings. Good business for everyone involved.

Saturday

Lakers 103, Kings 99 — I supported the Kings signing DeMar DeRozan but neglected that it would mean always losing to LeBron’s team, which of course is currently the Lakers. Dammit.

Heat 114, Magic 121 — One of the craziest comebacks in the last year or two. The Magic were down 22 in the fourth. The Heat were missing Jimmy Butler, but … this is still a nightmare loss.

The Magic beat the Heat 37-8 in the fourth. Cole Anthony beat the Heat 13-8 in the fourth.

Moe Wagner suffered a season-ending injury. Awful.

Jazz 105, Nets 94

Grizzlies 128, Hawks 112

Knicks 104, Pelicans 93 — The state of the NBA referees: ball boys mopping up sweat are picking up technical fouls for delay of game.