The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit their stride, winning their last five games to top the Northwest Division at 7-3, but have done so unconventionally, keeping their star forward Jimmy Butler as the fifth most-used player in their roster, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

Butler has been true to the motto — more is less — barely cracking the top 100 in usage rate at 19.8 percent (ranked 32nd last season with the Chicago Bulls with 26.6 percent).

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The 6-foot-7 small forward is making his name as the strong safety of this unit, zoning his attention to the defensive side of the ball — area which has allowed the Timberwolves to keep teams under 100 points in their last three outings, giving them a 12.3 points per game differential throughout that stretch.

Butler's averages are a modest 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, but his 1.6 steals per game have made the difference for Tom Thibodeau's team — as it regains the identity his coach has wanted them to have from the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

Nothing shows more unselfishness than Butler being willing to blend in and take a support role after a career-best all-around season in the Windy City; but it is an attitude that will ultimately reflect in wins — the most important stat in his eyes.