NBA schedule 2012: Mavericks, Spurs with two critical games this week

The Dallas Mavericks play twice in a critical week for the team, while the Southwest Division leading San Antonio Spurs take the court on Monday and Wednesday.

The Mavericks lost consecutive road games over the weekend to fall to 4-3 early in the season, dropping games on back-to-back nights to the New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats. The Mavericks head home to the AAC to welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:30 p.m. CT on Monday, then take on the 0-5 Washington Wizards at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday evening.

The Spurs, 6-1 to start the season, are 2-1 on their current four-game road trip. San Antonio will finish the road trip on Tuesday, Nov. 13 against the Los Angeles Lakers who have now won two straight since firing coach Mike Brown. The New York Knicks head to San Antonio on Thursday, taking on the Spurs at 7:30 p.m. CT.

The full Southwest Division schedule from Monday to Thursday:

Mon., Nov. 12
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks - 7:30 p.m. CT
Miami Heat at Houston Rockets - 7:30 p.m. CT

Tues., Nov. 13
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers - 9:30 p.m. CT

Wed., Nov. 14
Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder - 7 p.m. CT
New Orleans Hornets at Houston Rockets - 7 p.m. CT
Washington Wizards at Dallas Mavericks - 7:30 p.m. CT

Thurs., Nov. 15
New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs - 7:30 p.m. CT