NBA standings 2013: Spurs continue to hold Southwest Division lead, Mavs keep sliding

The beginning of 2013 has been just as bad as the end of 2012 for the Dallas Mavericks as they continue their slide down the Southwest Division standings.

Losers of 10 of their last 12, the Mavericks now find themselves 13-20, 12 games behind the first place San Antonio Spurs and six games back of the third place Houston Rockets, who have won eight of their last 10. The return of Dirk Nowitzki has not helped stopped the Mavs' skid, though his season-high 19 points in Wednesday's overtime loss to the Miami Heat showed he may be getting himself back into top form.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their stranglehold over the Northwest Division, leading the Portland Trailblazers by 7.5 games. The Thunder are also in a race with the Los Angeles Clippers and Spurs for first place in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City and the Clippers are currently tied for first in the West, with the Spurs just a half-game back.

In the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat and New York Knicks continue to hold their leads in the Southeast and Atlantic Divisions. The interesting race is in the Central, where the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers are tied for first place while the Milwaukee Bucks sit just two games back.

Here's a look at the complete Southwest Division standings.