Like the Osaka Evessa, their Western Conference rival, the Takamatsu Five Arrows did not push the panic button after struggling to string together back-to-back wins in early October.

Smart decision.

Coach Kenzo Maeda's team has turned around its season, winning five of its past seven games. This has happened after a five-game losing streak from Oct. 11-25. The Five Arrows got back on track on Oct. 26, beating the Oita HeatDevils by an 81-67 verdict to salvage a series split. Then, after getting swept by Osaka on Nov. 1-2, Takamatsu (7-7) rattled off four straight victories with series sweeps over the Yokohama B-Corsairs and Shinshu Brave Warriors the past two weekends.