The bj-league's version of interleague play returns this week as all six weekend series pit Eastern Conference clubs against their Western Conference foes.
Two series in particular — Sendai 89ers vs. Osaka Evessa and Takamatsu Five Arrows vs. Tokyo Apache — are expected to offer the most intrigue.
The 89ers (20-18) take a four-game winning streak into this series. Sendai fans will also witness the 89ers debut of high-scoring small forward Josh Peppers, the former University of Central Florida, Rizing Fukuoka and Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix player.