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NBA standings 2013: Miami holds a slim lead in the East

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James and company are looking good, but they have competition for the top spot in the East.

With the calendar turning over to 2013, the Miami Heat are right where they want to be.

Miami (22-9) lost on Friday night to the Chicago Bulls, but still are atop the Eastern Conference and Southeast Division. The Heat have looked solid for the most part, gearing up for another stretch run and title defense. They are being pushed in their division, with the Atlanta Hawks (20-11) only two games behind them.

The New York Knicks (22-10) are also nipping at Miami's heels, sitting second in the East only a half-game back. The Knicks have a significant cushion in the Atlantic, leading the Brooklyn Nets (17-14) by 4.5 games.

After a nice start, the Orlando Magic (12-20) have completely fallen off, as they have lost seven straight and are three games out of the No. 8 seed.

Out west, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs are running the show, as expected.

Oklahoma City (25-7) owns the league's best record by percentage points, even with the Clippers (26-8) to lead the conference. San Antonio (26-9) is also lurking, only a half-game behind both.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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