Yuta Watanabe claimed bragging rights when the NBA's Japanese contingent faced off Friday, with his Brooklyn Nets winning 128-86 against a Washington Wizards side featuring national teammate Rui Hachimura.
Watanabe scored a season-high 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench, hitting 6-for-8 from the field, including 2-for-3 from behind the arc.
The 28-year-old forward scored in double digits for the second straight game after putting up 10 points in a loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Hachimura was kept quiet with just two points and two rebounds in his 18-minute cameo for the 4-5 Wizards at Washington's Capital One Arena.
Kevin Durant led the way with 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds for the 3-6 Nets, who parted ways with head coach Steve Nash and handed a five-game suspension to star guard Kyrie Irving during a tumultuous week at Barclays Center.
