Stephen Curry says the Golden State Warriors must "bring an edge" as he and coach Steve Kerr aim to heed the lessons from the shock loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Warriors held a 19-point advantage heading into the final quarter on Sunday, yet ultimately slipped to a 107-101 loss – their fifth defeat in seven games.
Golden State's brilliant start to the season has them comfortably among the top teams in the NBA, with a 43-18 record, though their recent form will be a worry.
For Curry, however, the defeat can provide lessons on what the Warriors have to anticipate as the regular season enters its final stages and the playoffs approach.
"We played great defense for 36 minutes," Curry, who had a double-double of 27 points and 10 assists, said.
"We felt like we had the game under control. For whatever reason, our energy shifted when we missed a couple of shots, empty possessions.
"They come down and score, we start getting deflated, and for no reason.
"We've got to figure out how to maintain our energy when the shots aren't falling. Because, that's what it might be like in a playoff game.
"So I'd like to say it was a good lesson to learn, even though it sucks to have to go through it.
"We've got to bring an edge. Sustain that over 48 minutes and each game we'll have an opportunity to do that, to turn it into a positive and try to build momentum, but it's not going to happen on its own just because the coach says it or because we want it to. We've got to do it."
It was a sentiment echoed by Kerr, whose side's capitulation marked the biggest blown fourth-quarter lead so far this season.
"We did not maintain our grit down the stretch," said Kerr, who has previously been highly critical of his teams defense across their poor run.
"We just let our momentum get away from us. We can't just say, 'Oh well, when Draymond [Green] and Andre [Iguodala] get back we will be better.' It doesn't matter who's out there. We've got to get better executing under pressure and maintaining competence.
"It's actually good to go through and feel it because this is what it feels like in the playoffs, when you're playing against a really good team."