Coming off of a powerful – but losing – playoff effort last season against the Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to commence the 2011-2012 season. The team is going through its greatest early record in the previous eight years, but are still troubled against the more proficient squads in the league. Whereas they are 11-4 thus far, just 4 of those wins are against squads with records above .500.

Super Bowl odds

With the Magic arriving to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Indiana Pacers will have a greater challenge on their hands, and they’ll need the home court advantage tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this season and will look to expand their record to 6-0. If they’re able to get a win, it will be the first time the team has begun a season with 6 straight home wins since the 2002-2003 season.

Super Bowl odds

However the Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the season thus far. And the recent past is most on Orlando’s side. The Magic have defeated the Indiana Pacers in Indiana in each one of the previous 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 additionally need to find a way to cope with 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. Even with the challenges ahead for the Indiana Pacers, the sports book posts them as the -3 faves to eliminate the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both squads come into this game 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. Look for Orlando to make a shockingly powerful showing after their devastating 87-56 loss to the Celtics a couple of days ago.