Embiid leads way for 76ers

BASKETBALL:

Joel Embiid (pictured) scored a seasonhigh 38 points and tallied 13 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers handed Boston Celtics their first home loss.

Only Philly and Miami Heat remain unbeaten at home this season.

Tobias Harris added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the 76ers won 115-109 for their fourth straight win.

Australia’s Ben Simmons finished with seven points, eight rebounds and six assists as Brett Brown’s side improved their season record to 19-7. Boomers teammates Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills went head-to-head in San Antonio, where the Cleveland Cavaliers recorded a rare win, 117-109, over the Spurs after overtime. It was the third straight OT game for San Antonio. Dellavedova registered two points, two rebounds and four assists in his 15 minutes on court for the Cavs.

Mills tallied 10 points, one rebound and two assists in his team’s 19th loss in 25 games.

TODAY

World Surfing League – Billabong Pipe Masters: 5am NBA – Miami Heat v LA Lakers: 11am; Minnesota Timberwolves v LA Clippers: 1.35pm Test Cricket – Australia v New Zealand, first Test, day 3: 2.30pm; Pakistan v Sri Lanka, first Test, day 4: 3.30pm A-League –Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix: 4.30pm; Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners: 7pm; Perth Glory v Wanderers: 9.45pm NBL – Perth Wildcats v Brisbane Bullets: 8pm

TOMORROW

World Surfing League – Billabong Pipe Masters: 5am NCAA Basketball – Kentucky v Georgia Tech: 9am; Arizona v Gonzaga: 2pm NBA – Chicago Bulls v LA Clippers: 12pm Cricket – Australia v New Zealand, first Test, day 4: 2.30pm; Pakistan v Sri Lanka, first Test, day 5: 3.30pm A-League – Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City: 6pm ODI cricket – India v West Indies: 7pm

A bonding session in far north Queensland could be the catalyst for the Perth Wildcats to defend their NBL crown.

The Wildcats spent four days in Cairns ahead of their clash with the Taipans on Thursday night, when the reigning champions secured a second consecutive road win to cement second place.

Both the Wildcats and ladder leaders the Sydney Kings have 11 wins, but the Kings have played two fewer games.

Perth skipper Damian Martin

(pictured) said the decision to travel to Cairns early had paid off.

“Ideally you do get a couple of days here ... (to) adjust to the humidity and the weather,” he said after his side’s 88-84 win against Cairns.

“It’s been a great four days, not only from adjusting to some things we need to get better at but also some bonding, hanging out with each other on the road.” The Wildcats flew home to Perth yesterday before another big match against the Brisbane Bullets tonight.