This season, the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix were expected to be one of the Western Conference's elite teams after four banner campaigns in the bj-league's Eastern Conference.
That hasn't changed. In fact, the former Eastern powerhouse squad is still improving — a scary thought for its foes.
The Phoenix have rattled off seven straight wins, including an 82-72 decision over the lowly Osaka Evessa on Saturday, signaling their rise in the West.