NBA standings 2012: Timberwolves last in Northwest Division

The Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled through a tough schedule recently, losing two straight and four of their last five, dropping them into last place in the Northwest Division at 13-13. The Timberwolves are 7.5 games behind the division leading Oklahoma City Thunder (21-6), who they beat on Thursday, Dec. 20.

After the Thunder, the rest of the Northwest Division is clumped closely together. The Denver Nuggets (16-14) are in second, 6.5 games behind OKC and only one game ahead of Minnesota. The Portland Trail Blazers (14-13) are third in the division, seven games behind the Thunder and only a half-game ahead of the Timberwolves. The Utah Jazz (15-15) are tied with the Timberwolves at .500.

The red-hot Los Angeles Clippers have the best record in the Western Conference at 22-6, a half-game ahead of the Thunder. The San Antonio Spurs lead the Southwest Division at 22-8 and currently would be the three-seed in the West, behind the Clippers and Thunder.

The Timberwolves are currently a half-game behind Portland for the eight-seed in the West.