The Saitama Broncos were handed their 10th consecutive defeat on Sunday in the bj-league, losing their sixth straight game by double digits.
Conversely, the Osaka Evessa continued their late-season surge, extending their winning streak to 10 games.
Meanwhile, All-Star big man Jeff Newton, the reigning regular-season and playoff MVP, made his return to the reigning champion Ryukyu Golden Kings lineup for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury on Jan. 23.