Coming off of a powerful – but losing – playoff effort last year against the Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 year. The team is experiencing its best early record in the prior eight years, but are still struggling against the more proficient teams in the league. While they are 11-4 so far, only four of those wins are against teams with records above .500.

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With the Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Indiana Pacers will have a greater task on their hands, and they will need the home court edge tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this year and will look to extend their record to 6-0. If they’re able to grab a victory, it will be the 1st time the team has started off a year with 6 consecutive home wins since the 2002-2003 year.

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However the Orlando Magic are a fearsome enemy who are 11-5 on the year so far. And the recent past is all on Orlando’s side. The Orlando Magic have defeated the Indiana Pacers in Indiana in each one of the prior 3 competitions between the two. Actually, Orlando has won these competitions on the road in Indianapolis by about 13 points. The newest match between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Indiana Pacers will furthermore need to find a method to cope with Orlando Magic celeb Dwight Howard. Howard has led the team to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each of these contests. In spite of the challenges ahead for the Indiana Pacers, the sportsbook shows them as the -3 favorites to defeat the Orlando Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both teams come into this match with a 7-3 record over their last ten contests. The Indiana Pacers have a 5-0 home record so far, whereas the Orlando Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a surprisingly powerful showing after their devastating 87-56 loss to the Celtics a handful of days ago.