The Ryukyu Golden Kings captured the Western Conference's regular-season title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs on Saturday, clobbering the host Miyazaki Shining Suns 113-82.
Ryukyu (33-16) holds a two-game lead over the second-place Osaka Evessa entering the final day of the regular season.
David Palmer, the former MVP during the Evessa's dynasty years, led the Golden Kings with 26 points, including a jaw-dropping 7-for-9 from beyond the 3-point arc, and Anthony McHenry added 20. Carlos Dixon had 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Steady big man Jeff Newton hauled in 16 rebounds on a night when his seven points were more than enough. Tsubasa Yonamine had a busy day at the point, with 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists as evidence, Dillion Sneed scored 10, Yasufumi Takushi had nine and Shigeyuki Kinjo ended his work shift with a seven-point evening.