The Miami Heat are not thinking that quite yet -- after a disastrous start to the 2020-21 effort.

The reigning Eastern Conference winners are 6-12, matching the franchise's worst 18-game beginning since launching 4-14 at 2007-08.

"Heat Nation, we're likely to figure out this," All-Star center Bam Adebayo said. "Just keep with us. We will figure out this. I can guarantee them that we will figure out this. I understand they're tired of seeing us shed. We are tired of losing. We must figure out this."

The next opportunity to get things right comes Saturday if Miami hosts Sacramento.

The year after dropping the finals hasn't been kind to the latest teams that have dropped the name collection. Golden State lost the finals in 2019, watched all the roster becoming hurt, saw Kevin Durant depart for Brooklyn and completed last year with the NBA's worst album.

Bad enough, however.

Jimmy Butler has missed 12 of Miami's 18 games, largely due to the league's wellbeing and security protocols created for secure play throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Avery Bradley, earned as a free agent, has missed 10 games, and the majority of this is due to virus-related troubles. Tyler Herro missed seven matches with neck spasms. Meyers Leonard, an integral performer a year ago, has appeared in just three games this year and is currently out with a shoulder injury.

"You just need to continue to grind, to find out, to compete for one another, get much better. There are particular things at which we are and we only need to be consistent with it. We'll be getting men back ."

Miami's seven experienced players, with respect to years at the NBA, were unavailable Thursday.

This was the lineup that the Heat began the fourth quarter against the Clippers: Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, that are on two-way contracts; Precious Achiuwa, who's a beginner; KZ Okpala, a second-year specialist who played five matches last year; and Herro, a second-year protector who had not played in a couple of weeks.

"Lots of dudes which are playing right now will be the young men, for me," Adebayo said.

The Heat expect Butler can perform Saturday. Dragic is not expected to be outside for long. Herro, in his return match Thursday, needed a huge fourth quarter to lead a comeback effort.

He insists that the turnaround is forthcoming.

"There is no excuses. We are going to continue to improve and hopefully 1 day we could get everyone back and show everyone what we are made from."