Coming off of a formidable – but losing – playoff effort last year versus the Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to begin the 2011-2012 year. The team is going through its greatest early record in the earlier eight years, but are still struggling versus the more proficient teams in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 thus far, only four of those wins are versus teams with records above .500.

College football odds

With the Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better task on their hands, and they are 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 will be the first time the team has begun a year with six straight home wins since the 2002-2003 year.

Football betting

But the Magic are a fearsome foe who are 11-5 on the year thus far. And recent history is most on Orlando’s side. The Magic have beat the Pacers in Indiana in all the earlier three bouts between the 2. Actually, Orlando has won these competitions on the road in Indianapolis by an average of 13 points. The latest match between the 2 was January 26, 2011.

The Pacers will furthermore have to find a way to handle Magic superstar Dwight Howard. Howard has directed the team to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in all of these matches. Despite the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sportsbook lists them as the -3 favorites to eliminate the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both teams come into this match with a 7-3 record over their last ten matches. The Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, while the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Look for Orlando to make a astoundingly formidable showing after their disastrous 87-56 loss to the Boston Celtics a couple of days ago.