For Masashi Obuchi, an innate scoring sense and recognition of when and where to take shots served him well during his early days in the bj-league.

Now, in his third season in the league, and second in an Osaka Evessa uniform, the veteran guard is returning to form after a season-ending knee injury in December 2010 limited him to 17 games last season.

Obuchi has had a bigger role on offense in recent games. His scoring output has increased in each of the past five games, from eight points against the Oita HeatDevils on Jan. 22 to nine and 11 in the next series to 14- and 17-point performances against the host Shiga Lakestars ast weekend.