"I think in a couple of games we've been let down by just a couple of minutes in one quarter and I think the big learning for us is that we can't afford to let that happen and to realise if it does happen what are our strategies to get out of that and get up again."
Sinclair said she was wary of a strong Pulse and Silver Fern defence combination of Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka.
The Pulse have the best defensive record after five rounds with 46.2 goals against per match while the Magic is ranked equal second with 55 goals against per match.
But Magic will be buoyed by the recent form of import Lenize Potgieter and young goal attack Monica Falkner.
"We need to go back to a bit of our longer game which we have kind of gone in and out of over the past couple of weeks. Lenize is a really good target in the back and if we can work with that and get our midcourters working around her really well I think that would be really good," she said.
"A lot of it comes down to precision passing because the Pulse defence stood off quite a bit last time we played and we've watched that and learned what the Pulse do.
"They confuse the space and if we can make it really clear where we want to go and speed up some moves that will open it up for the shooters. It will make it so much easier because they are Silver Fern defenders and are really good at hunting and picking up ball so we all need to be aware of that.
"But it's just great to know you have two shooters that will just turn and shoot. That gives the team so much confidence - so when you get the turnover ball down the other end of the court you know that they will do everything they can to convert it for us, it's a really big confidence boost and a great asset to have."
Sinclair - a former John Paul College student - said the team that handled the "pressure moments" the best would finish on top.
"I think it will be very close. Pulse have been good the last couple of weeks, like us they are growing . . . It will be a tight one - we've improved so much since the last game. We've come a long way and we've got to go into the game with a bit more of confidence and knowing that we've got what it takes to beat a team like that.
"We also need to stay nice and calm under pressure, because there will definitely be pressure moments in the game and however you get out of that will be the decider I think."
There will be little time for Pulse to catch their breath, a clash against the impressive Southern Steel follows in quick succession on Monday night.
The three teams are tightly clustered on the points table, Steel with 10 and Magic and Pulse on nine points, in what is shaping as a pivotal weekend.
ANZ Premiership - round six
Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse v WBOP Magic, Where: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill, Sunday, 2pm.
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v SkyCity Mystics, ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill, Sunday, 4pm.
Silvermoon Tactix v Northern Stars, ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill, Sunday, 6pm.
