The Niigata Albirex BB don¡¯t have a player in the league¡¯s top 10 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals or blocks.

But the Albirex, one of the league¡¯s two flagship franchises along with the perennial struggling Saitama Broncos, have quality roster depth and a high basketball IQ. And they play with veteran poise.

Second-year bench boss Fujitaka Hiraoka¡¯s squad has won seven straight games and 12 of its past 13 to improve to 33-15, tied with the Sendai 89ers for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.