Basketball: Suns won't be taking Rebels lightly

The Northland Suns say complacency won't be a problem in their quarter-final against the Auckland Rebels on Saturday.

The Suns beat the Rebels convincingly 95-77 in their final round robin match in the Intercity League last weekend but the Suns' shooting guard Travis McIlroy said they won't be taking anything for granted.

"There are enough leaders in the team to stop any complacency before it takes hold. There's still plenty of urgency in the team and from my point of view, people are still lifting their work ethic," he said.

He said a big loss to competition favourites Waitakere a few weeks ago awoke a big desire for a rematch in the grand final.

"Everyone in the team is focused on the main goal and that's reaching the final - hopefully against Waitakere."

The team practised on Tuesday night and McIlroy said there wasn't much talk about the upcoming clash against the Rebels but there was a collective feeling that they would do better this weekend.

"We want to play a more intense defence and shut down their outside shooters, who kept them in the game last week," he said.

He said the team has an offence that most teams envy but defence would be the main focus for the rest of the week.

If the Suns beat the Rebels again they will go on to face the winner of the Franklin Blitz and the North Harbour Heat.