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With the BBL's top spot already locked away, the Stars have hit the staggers but it has nothing to do with dead-rubber complacency, says Peter Handscomb.

Peter Handscomb is adamant there is "absolutely no complacency" in the Melbourne Stars camp following Wednesday's 11-run loss to the Adelaide Strikers.

The Stars (10-3) are assured top spot on the ladder and a double-chance in the finals but have endured back-to-back defeats this week to the Strikers and Sydney Sixers.

Those results raised suspicions the Stars have eased their foot off the gas.

Not so, according to Handscomb who wants his team to bounce back against Brisbane Heat at the MCG on Saturday and hit the finals running.

"There's absolutely no complacency setting in," said Handscomb, who thumped an unbeaten 65 while filling in as Stars captain at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night.

"Our focus is on winning and taking that momentum into the finals.

"I don't think we want to change too much."

Wednesday's loss was the Stars' second in as many starts against the Strikers, but Handscomb puts it down to Twenty20's fickle nature.

"It's a funny game, T20 cricket," the 16-Test batsman said.

"They've played really well against us and it might be the match-ups or we just haven't played our best cricket against them on the day for whatever reason.

"You can't read too much into it going forward because it is a fickle game."

Leading into the Heat clash and the finals campaign, the Stars will be sweating on opener Hilton Cartwright who was a late withdrawal for the Strikers clash after injuring his hand during warm-ups.

Handscomb was unclear of the seriousness of the injury but will know more later today.

"No idea," he said.

"I'm not a physio, doctor or the coach so I don't get told any of that.

"I think he's getting scanned today (Thursday)."