Brooklyn Nets: 3 things to watch against new-look Mavericks

1. Lineup change likely with Graham ailing

Per Greg Logan of Newsday, the Nets took Sunday off after their blowout loss to the Miami Heat Saturday night.

Coach Kenny Atkinson said adjustments were on the table, up to and including changing the starting lineup.

"“This is a struggle period. We obviously have guys coming back. It’s up to me to do a better job of finding how everybody fits in their role. Right now, we’re a little out of sorts with their role and minutes situation. We haven’t found that comfort area where everybody feels comfortable in their role.”"

As for a lineup change?

"“I think we have to look at it. My job as a head coach is to help thee guys out of this struggle. If that means a lineup change, we’ll do it. If it means sticking with the same guys, we’ll do it. It’s something we have to talk about and put everything under consideration.”"

Atkinson’s hand may be forced when it comes to a lineup change, as Treveon Graham — who has started 20 of Brooklyn’s last 22 games at the 4 spot — listed as doubtful for Monday with back soreness.

There is no shortage of candidates for the spot. Jared Dudley has started 25 games at the 4 this season, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson making 21 starts there as well as one at the center position.

But Rodions Kurucs started 29 straight games at the 3 before being moved back to the bench when Caris LeVert rejoined the starting lineup and has been playing mostly as the 4 as the first big off the bench the last several games.

DeMarre Carroll is also a possibility to start, but he’s played all 52 games in which he’s appeared this season off the bench and Atkinson may be loathe to disrupt his routine considering how well Carroll has produced, particularly over the last two months.

One wild-card the Nets have should they continue to have difficulty rebounding — they were hammered on the glass by the Heat 57-36 on Saturday — is two-way player Alan Williams, who has played in just three games and 17 minutes for Brooklyn this season.

Williams has size — 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds — and is a beast on the glass, with 14 boards in his 17 minutes with the parent club, an average of 4.7 in just 5.7 minutes per game.

In 33 games with the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League, Big Sauce is third in the league with an average of 13.1 rebounds per game while averaging an even 20.0 points per night.

He’s added a 3-point shot to his repertoire, with mixed results, making 26.5 percent on 1.5 attempts per game with Long Island.

He missed his lone attempt with Brooklyn and between the two levels has taken 50 3s this season after attempting one in his first three pro seasons, including most of the 2015-16 campaign in China.