"Injuries had briefly removed Raja Bell's rhythm. Inaction had temporarily taken away the lift normally provided by his legs.

But after missing three consecutive games and sitting out seven straight days in mid-December due to a groin injury, the 11-year veteran Jazz guard ran smoother and shot straighter during Utah's 101-90 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Bell sank 5 of 6 3-point attempts while pouring in 19 points. The made 3s and point total were his season highs.

"I was just shooting the ball, man," Bell said.

The confident, highly competitive Bell spent a pregame interview discussing how his slowly aging body had briefly betrayed him, acknowledging in a soft, controlled voice that he had recently run the court slightly out of step and off pace. Then he proceeded to hit the hardwood Monday by immediately outgunning and outsmarting the Cavs.

Bell was perfect from the field in the first quarter, knocking down all three of his shots - including two 3s - and ending the period with eight points. He did not slow down. By the third quarter, Bell was 5 of 7 from the field, 4 of 4 beyond the arc and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line for 16 points.

To find his touch, Bell turned to his father. The duo broke down Bell's shot, noticing a lack of balance in his legs when the ball left his hands. Bell's father advised his son to finish better prior to his release, and to make sure that he "got the ball up." A pregame warmup session with Jazz assistant coach Scott Layden followed, during which Bell focused upon following through on his father's words.

Soon, the 34-year-old Bell was sinking 3s like he was a decade younger and sharper.

"Dads know best," said Bell, who immediately iced both of his groins following the victory.

C.J. Miles scored a team-high 22 points, knocked down four 3s, grabbed four rebounds and dished out five assists to lead the Jazz (20-9), while Al Jefferson added 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Utah improved to 2-1 on its four-game road trip, and moved to 5-4 in its past nine games. The Jazz also took back first place in the Northwest Division, jumping a half game ahead of Oklahoma City.

Utah's Deron Williams-led offense ran like a highly efficient, streamlined machine against a Cavaliers (8-20) team that has lost 11 of its past 12 games. The Jazz distributed 28 assists on 39 made field goals and committed just 10 turnovers. Utah shot 47.6 percent from the field and 43.5 percent beyond the arc. And a Jazz team that has often struggled to control the boards this season outrebounded Cleveland 44-34."