THERE certainly is no love lost between the East Perth Eagles and Perth Redbacks heading into Game 2 of their men's SBL semi-final series this Friday night and Eagles coach Adam Forde is confident his team can avoid any distractions and win through to the 2014 grand final.

Despite finishing the regular season in seventh position in the standings, the Eagles advanced to the semi-finals by beating the second-placed Orange Autos Rockingham Flames in three games in the quarter-finals.

East Perth then prevailed in Game 1 of the semi-finals 106-98 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre over the Redbacks to now mean the Eagles need to win just one of potentially two matches this weekend at the WA Basketball Centre.

However, Forde knows that there is no point whatsoever celebrating after winning the opening game against the Redbacks with the knowledge that they are only halfway towards a grand final appearance with plenty of work still to do.

"There are no celebrations after that Game 1, as we know it's going to be a hell of a fight Friday night and we are not guaranteed anything after one win," Forde said.

"Unlike some others, we don’t feel the need to talk up the wins as if we have to convince anyone, and we sure as hell don’t make excuses for why we lose. We just get out there and play like we’ll do this Friday."

While the Eagles have been in outstanding form in the playoffs of 2014 so far to emerge as genuine championship prospects, Forde knows that there is still room for improvement in his group as well.

"We definitely have some issues to address as we gave up a comfortable 17 point lead in the first half," he said.

"I don’t think our third quarters as of late are a concern, but it's something we need to better improve and do so quickly."

There is every reason to expect a heated weekend at the WA Basketball Centre between the Redbacks and Eagles as well whether that is in just a Game 2 on Friday night and then possibly the deciding Game 3 on Saturday.

Just two of those reasons include Forde and East Perth being unhappy with Joe-Alan Tupaea again facing some scrutiny and then with the Redbacks trying to stop the Eagles from having a training session at the WA Basketball Centre despite it being a neutral venue with Belmont Oasis unavailable.

"Credit to the guys is that they don’t get caught up in all the distractions. The Redbacks making another report on Joe had no substance," Forde said.

"And then Perth's administration having an issue with us booking a training session at WABC just seemed silly. We didn’t organise the game to be at WABC, but we can prepare for it like any other club can.

"End of the day we’ll be full strength, and they’ll be full strength. May the better team win minus the drama."

Article by Chris Pike