Coming off of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last year versus the Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start off the 2011-2012 year. The team is experiencing its greatest early record in the prior eight years, but are still struggling versus the more skillful squads in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 so far, only four of those wins are versus squads with records above .500.
NFL odds
With the Orlando Magic arriving to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a greater task on their hands, and they’re going to need the home court edge tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this year and will look to prolong their record to 6-0. If they’re able to grab a win, it’ll be the 1st time the team has started off a year with 6 straight home wins since the 2002-2003 year.
College football odds
But the Orlando Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the year so far. And the recent past is most on Orlando’s side. The Orlando Magic have defeated the Pacers in Indiana in each of the prior 3 matchups between the 2. In fact, Orlando has won these games on the road in Indianapolis by typically 13 points. The newest competition between the 2 was January 26, 2011.
The Pacers will additionally have to find a way to cope with Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard. Howard has directed the team to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each one of these games. In spite of the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sports book shows them as the -3 favorites to wipe out 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 games. The Pacers have a 5-0 home record so far, whereas the Orlando Magic are 5-3 on the road. Look for Orlando to make a surprisingly strong showing after their devastating 87-56 loss to the Celts a couple of days ago.
Jan 262012
