Coming off of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last year against the Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start out the 2011-2012 year. The squad is going through its best early record in the earlier 8 years, but are still struggling against the more skillful squads in the league. While they’re 11-4 so far, just 4 of those wins are against squads with records above .500.

NFL odds

With the Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better task on their hands, and they’ll 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’re able to grab a win, it will likely be the first time the squad has begun a year with six consecutive home wins since the 2002-2003 year.

Super Bowl betting

However the Orlando Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the year so far. And recent history is all on Orlando’s side. The Orlando Magic have defeated the Pacers in Indiana in all the earlier 3 competitions between the two. In reality, Orlando has won these matches on the road in Indianapolis by an average of 13 points. The latest contest between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Pacers will also have to find a way to cope with Orlando Magic celebrity Dwight Howard. Howard has headed the squad to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in all of these matches. Even with the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sportsbook shows them as the -3 faves to defeat the Orlando Magic. The total is established at 182.5.

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