The Hornets had a lack-lustre first half but put together a 10-0 run just before half-time to break clear of an undermanned Eagles team.

A 35-point third quarter sealed the match in front of a packed crowd and Hornets coach Barry McTaggart said he was pleased with the performance.

"We really picked up our intensity in the second half," he said.

"If we play like that in the playoffs we will do some damage."

McTaggart also said the Hornets poor start would be a worry going into the playoffs.

"I dont think we had our heads on right in the first half," he said.

"In the playoffs we are going to be playing much better sides than the one we played Saturday night."

Leading scorer Liam Norton will also enter the playoffs under a cloud after sitting out the second half due to illness.

"Liam is still a bit of a worry," McTaggart said.

"He told me not to put him back out in the second half because he felt pretty ordinary.

"He is the best player in the league so it is a concern for us but he will hopefully be well for our next match."

Norton only played 16 minutes and scored two points.

The Hornets had six players in double figures led by new starting point-guard Shaun Bruce who had 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Bruce replaced his injured brother, Cam, in the starting line-up.

Eagles assistant coach Wayne Bullock said the Hornets had not missed a beat.

"With their style of play they just put the young bloke in and kept on playing," he said.

The Hornets will play its first of three semi-finals in Melbourne on Saturday night.