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Thirteen was an unlucky number for Jazz veteran Raja Bell.

Because of injuries and trades, Utah used its 13th starting lineup of the season in Monday night's 112-107 overtime win over Philadelphia.

It did not include Bell.

Instead, C.J. Miles started at shooting guard for the Jazz, who jumped to a 10-2 lead and allowed only 23 points in the first quarter.

In his sixth start of the season, Miles finished with 19 points and a season-high eight rebounds in one of his best outings.

While Corbin did not commit to making Miles a permanent starter — beginning Wednesday against Minnesota — it seems likely.

"We'll see," Corbin said. "... We'll see how we can mix-and-match and have a chance to match up properly with the personnel that the other teams have."

Bell's reaction to a possible off-the-bench role?

"Whatever gives us the best chance to win," he said. "When I came here, I said I would do whatever they needed me to do. So whatever that capacity is, I'll be ready to go."

Bell arrived in Utah via free agency last summer — partly because the Jazz offered him a $9.7 million deal over three years, partly to play alongside All-Star Deron Williams on a projected contender and partly because he liked the idea of playing for ex-coach Jerry Sloan.

But the situation has changed.

Williams and Sloan are gone, the Jazz are fighting to make the playoffs and Utah's offense appears less compatible with Bell's spot-up shooting game.

As a result, Bell says he is "OK" with Corbin's likely decision to go with Miles, who is a little bigger, more athletic, better at creating his own shot and simply plays better as a starter. Bell's biggest concern about the lineup change was how it was communicated to him. He missed the Jazz's shootaround Monday while receiving treatment on a sprained toe.

At the time, Corbin told reporters Bell would not play and Miles would start in his place.

When he talked to the media, however, Bell said he would play.

Bell did not learn he wouldn't start until just before the game.

"I think there was a little confusion in the morning because they thought I wasn't going to play," Bell said. "They put C.J. in the lineup and then [Corbin] told me they were going to keep it the same.

"Do I wish he had had a better conversation with me? Yeah. But you can't control that. You come out and do your job."

Bell finished with five points and four rebounds. He played 36 minutes, more than any Jazz player except Al Jefferson, Andrei Kirilenko and Miles.

By changing his lineup, Corbin claims he was not fingering Bell for the Jazz's slow starts in recent losses to the Knicks, Timberwolves and Bulls.

Those three opponents averaged 38.7 points in the first quarter, triggering lopsided wins over Utah. Instead, Corbin says he started Miles and rookie Derrick Favors in search of victory.

"It wasn't just Raja," Corbin explained. "We've struggled in the first quarter and we wanted to change things. ... Whatever is best for the team, we're going to do, just to get us through where we are."

Asked whether he preferred starting, Miles smiled.

"I just like minutes," he said. "I just like to play. ... Starting is easier, I will say that, because you are already warm, you've broken a sweat and you've got a rhythm.

"Coming off the bench, you sit and wait. You're into the game — you know what's going on — but you have to flip that switch and get your rhythm the minute you step on the floor."

luhm@sltrib.comTwitter: @sluhm —

Miles as a starter

C.J. Miles' statistics in his six starts this season:

Date Opp Pts Reb Ast Result

March 14 vs. Philadelphia 19 8 1 W, 112-107

March 9 at Toronto 23 7 4 W, 96-94

Feb. 16 vs. Golden State 16 2 1 L, 107-100

Feb. 15 at Phoenix 19 3 2 L, 102-101

Feb. 11 vs. Phoenix 19 6 2 L, 95-83

Jan. 25 at L.A. Lakers 14 4 5 L, 120-91 —

Timberwolves at Jazz

P At EnergySolutions Arena

Tipoff • Wednesday, 7 p.m.

TV • FSN Utah

Radio • 1320 AM, 1600 AM, 98.7 FM

Records • Jazz 35-33, Wolves 17-51

Last meeting • Wolves, 122-101 (Friday)

About the Jazz • They are 4-10 since Tyrone Corbin took over as coach. … They have won four of their last five against Minnesota. … In 11 games since the All-Star break, C Al Jeffferson averages 26.9 points. … F Andrei Kirilenko is 94 minutes shy of 21,000 in his career.

About the Timberwolves • They are 5-28 on the road. … They allow 106.7 points per game, worst in the NBA. … F Kevin Love's record streak for double-doubles (53) ended Sunday, when he scored only six points at Golden State. Moses Malone held the old record (51).