The Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix outlasted the Osaka Evessa on Saturday night, winning 80-76.
The Phoenix (31-6) are in a three-way tie for first place in the bj-league's 10-team Western Conference along with the defending champion Ryukyu Golden Kings and Kyoto Hannaryz.
Hamamatsu forced 24 turnovers and improved to 17-4 at home.