Arriving off of a powerful – but losing – playoff effort last year vs the Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 year. The team is going through its best early record in the previous eight years, but are still troubled vs the more skillful squads in the league. Whereas they’re 11-4 thus far, just four of those wins are vs squads with records above .500.

Super Bowl odds

With the Orlando Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Indiana Pacers will have a greater challenge on their hands, and they will need the home court advantage tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this year and will look to increase their record to 6-0. If they are able to grab a win, it will likely be the 1st time the team has begun a year with six consecutive home wins since the 2002-2003 year.

Super Bowl odds

However the Magic are a fearsome enemy who are 11-5 on the year thus far. And the recent past is all on Orlando’s side. The Magic have beat the Indiana Pacers in Indiana in all the previous three bouts between the two. Actually, Orlando has won these contests on the road in Indianapolis by around 13 points. The newest contest between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Indiana Pacers will additionally need to find a method to deal with Magic celeb 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. In spite of the challenges ahead for the Indiana Pacers, the sports book lists them as the -3 faves to eliminate the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both squads come into this match with a 7-3 record over their last 10 matches. The Indiana Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, whilst the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a astoundingly powerful showing after their devastating 87-56 loss to the Celts a handful of days ago.