Arriving off of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last year versus the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to commence the 2011-2012 year. The squad is experiencing its greatest early record in the earlier eight years, but are still troubled versus the more skillful teams in the league. Whereas they’re 11-4 thus far, merely 4 of those wins are versus teams with records above .500.

Online betting

With the Orlando Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better challenge on their hands, and they will need the home court advantage tonight. Indiana is unbeaten at home this year and will look to extend their record to 6-0. If they’re able to grab a win, it will likely be the first time the squad has begun a year with 6 consecutive home wins since the 2002-2003 year.

NFL odds

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 each one of the earlier three competitions between the two. In fact, Orlando has won these contests on the road in Indianapolis by around 13 points. The latest contest between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Pacers will furthermore have to find a method to cope with Magic star Dwight Howard. Howard has directed the squad to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in all of these games. In spite of the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sportsbook shows them as the -3 faves to wipe out the 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 Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, while the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a astonishingly strong showing after their disastrous 87-56 loss to the Boston Celtics a handful of days ago.