Veteran forward Wendell White had 41 points and 10 rebounds as the Sendai 89ers edged the Fukushima Firebonds 97-95 in Saturday's series opener.
White sank five 3-pointers and 10 of 13 shots from the free-throw line in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, helping the 89ers improve to 7-0.
Jamal Boykin added 29 points and eight rebounds for the hosts. Takehiko Shimura contributed five steals.