The scintillating hunt for the top spot in the bj-league's Eastern Conference is still, technically, up for grabs. Though it doesn't look like the reigning champs have any intention of relinquishing their hold on the top spot.
Shoji Nakanishi buried three 3-pointers in a memorable 16-point effort and Wayne Arnold had a 15-point performance in the two-time defending champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix's 92-81 victory over the Akita Northern Happinets on Saturday night.
The East-leading Phoenix (30-13) improved to 3-0 against former coach Kazuo Nakamura's club.