The Rizing Fukuoka are playing their best basketball of the season as they gear up for the playoffs next month.
On Saturday, the Rizing recorded their seventh consecutive victory since the bj-league resumed play on March 19, defeating the visiting Shiga Lakestars 109-88.
All-Star forward Michael Parker paced Fukuoka with 33 points (six dunks), as well as nine rebounds, six assists and four steals for good measure. Teammate Nile Murry had 23 points and five assists and sharpshooter Akitomo Takeno had 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting — he also made all four of his free throws — and four assists, while Jun Nakanishi had a six-assist evening as the Rizing's crisp passes and quick ball movement led to good looks and easy baskets, as evidenced by their 34-for-65 shooting from inside the 3-point arc and 9-for-18 on 3s — against the Lakestars' inadequate defense.