Arriving off of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last year against the Chicago Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start out the 2011-2012 year. The squad is experiencing its greatest early record in the prior 8 years, but are still troubled against the more skillful squads in the league. Whereas they’re 11-4 thus far, simply four of those wins are against squads with records above .500.

Sportsbook

With the Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better challenge on their hands, and they’re going to need the home court edge tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this year and will look to stretch out their record to 6-0. If they are able to grab a win, it’ll be the 1st time the squad has begun a year with six consecutive home wins since the 2002-2003 year.

College football betting

However the Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the year thus far. And recent history is all on Orlando’s side. The Magic have defeated the Pacers in Indiana in each one of the prior three bouts between the two. In fact, Orlando has won these matches on the road in Indianapolis by about 13 points. The most recent contest between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Pacers will also have to find a way to handle Magic celebrity Dwight Howard. Howard has headed the squad to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each one of these contests. In spite of the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sports book lists them as the -3 faves to defeat the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both squads come into this match with a 7-3 record over their last 10 contests. The Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, whilst the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a shockingly strong showing after their devastating 87-56 loss to the Boston Celtics a few days ago.


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