The Kings used a new starting lineup. And after two days of airing out their issues, the mood was better.

But the result was the same as in the previous four games.

The Kings suffered their fifth consecutive loss, 99-90, to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at Sleep Train Arena.

After a two-game winning streak, the Kings have fallen to 2-8. The last time the Kings had a record that bad through 10 games was in the 1990-91 season.

The new starting lineup consisted of Aaron Brooks and Tyreke Evans at guard, John Salmons and Jason Thompson at forward, and DeMarcus Cousins at center.

It was the fourth different starting lineup the Kings have used this season, but the first time coach Keith Smart changed it because of performance instead of suspensions.

Brooks replaced Isaiah Thomas, and Salmons replaced James Johnson.

"I was trying to get some guys with a little bit of know-how, a little understanding, onto the floor," Smart said. "We were trying to get done what I wanted to get done, and I thought that those two guys, veteran guys who have been in the league and have played, were best."

The Kings started better, leading 16-8 in the first quarter, but the Nets took over thanks to their bench, which scored 52 points.

Brooklyn closed the second quarter on a 13-2 run to lead 54-42, and the Kings didn't get back into the game.

Meanwhile, the Kings continue to struggle offensively. Sacramento has reached 100 points once this season, averaging 91.2.

Cousins and Evans had good games.

Cousins had a season-high 29 points, shooting 9 of 9 in the second half.

Evans matched his season high with 21 points. He said the Kings must increase the tempo to generate offense.

"Try to get more fast-break points," Evans said. "I think we've been slacking this year. We've just got to do a better job of moving the ball and finding the open guy."

Evans and Cousins combined to shoot 20 of 35 (57.1 percent), but the rest of the team shot 17 of 45 (37.8 percent).

"I feel like we need to share the ball more," Cousins said. "We shared it a lot better today, but everybody's plan on the floor should be, how can I make my teammates better?"

The Kings had 13 assists, or three more than Nets guard Deron Williams.

Brooklyn had 22 assists on 36 baskets.

Some players do not use assists to measure teamwork, but Cousins pays attention to that statistic.

"The first couple of games, I had like one assist on the season," Cousins said. "And that's not me at all. I've been on a mission to find the open man and find a cutting teammate, just help my teammates get better. I know as a leader of the team, if they see me doing it, it will spread to the rest of the team."

Even with the loss, Smart plans no lineup changes in the near future. He thought the Kings played a "decent game" aside from their bad second-quarter finish.

"You can't keep changing everything," Smart said. "You've got to start trying to develop something."

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