The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night and starting small forward Robert Covington is listed as probable with right knee soreness.

The Timberwolves have been a completely different team since acquiring Robert Covington from the Philadelphia 76ers in the Jimmy Butler trade. Minnesota has one of the best defenses in the NBA with Covington in the lineup. His defensive instincts have been on full display since entering the team's starting unit, and he's a big reason why the team is 9-3 since parting ways with Butler.

Covington is averaging 14.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 12 games with Minnesota while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 39.2 percent from the 3-point line and 82.8 percent from the charity stripe. The swingman will likely play versus Portland, but if for some reason he can't, the Timberwolves will probably insert rookie Josh Okogie as a starter.

A Chicago native, Covington is regarded by many as one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He made the All-Defensive team last season with the Sixers and is on pace to make it again this year with the way he has turned around the Timberwolves' defense.

Minnesota enters Saturday with a record of 13-12, 10th place in the Western Conference.