Coming off of a powerful – but losing – playoff effort last season versus the Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to begin the 2011-2012 season. The team is experiencing its best early record in the earlier 8 years, but are still struggling versus the more proficient teams in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 to date, merely four of those victories are versus teams with records above .500.

Sportsbook

With the Magic arriving to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Indiana Pacers will have a greater challenge on their hands, and they are going to need the home court advantage tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this season and will look to extend their record to 6-0. If they are able to get a victory, it’ll be the first time the team has opened up a season with six consecutive home victories since the 2002-2003 season.

Super Bowl odds

But the Orlando Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the season to date. And recent history is all on Orlando’s side. The Orlando Magic have beat the Indiana Pacers in Indiana in each of the earlier three matchups between the two. In fact, Orlando has won these contests on the road in Indianapolis by typically 13 points. The most recent match between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Indiana Pacers will furthermore have to find a method to cope with Orlando Magic celebrity Dwight Howard. Howard has headed the team to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each one of these games. Despite the challenges ahead for the Indiana Pacers, the sportsbook shows them as the -3 faves to wipe out the Orlando Magic. The total is established at 182.5.

Both teams come into this game with a 7-3 record over their last ten games. The Indiana Pacers have a 5-0 home record to date, whilst the Orlando Magic are 5-3 on the road. Look for Orlando to make a astoundingly powerful showing after their disastrous 87-56 loss to the Celtics a few days ago.