The Niigata Albirex BB have climbed out of the Eastern Conference cellar.
Paul Butorac continued his stellar play of late with 22 points and 17 rebounds in the Albirex's 90-70 win over the struggling Osaka Evessa.
Antonio Burks had 20 points and Akitomo Takeno's 17-point, five-assist performance lifted Masaya Hirose's club to its third straight victory.