Arriving from of a formidable – but losing – playoff effort last season versus the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 season. The squad is experiencing its best early record in the prior eight years, but are still struggling versus the more adept squads in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 thus far, just 4 of those victories are versus squads with records above .500.

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With the 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 unbeaten at home this season and will look to prolong their record to 6-0. If they’re able to grab a victory, it will be the 1st time the squad has opened up a season with 6 consecutive home victories since the 2002-2003 season.

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But the Orlando Magic are a fearsome enemy who are 11-5 on the season thus far. And the recent past is all on Orlando’s side. The Orlando Magic have beat the Pacers in Indiana in each one of the prior three matchups between the two. In fact, Orlando has won these competitions on the road in Indianapolis by around 13 points. The latest contest between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Pacers will additionally have to find a way to deal with Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard. Howard has directed the squad to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each one of these matches. Even with the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sports book lists them as the -3 favorites to wipe out the Orlando 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 Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, while the Orlando Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a remarkably formidable showing after their catastrophic 87-56 loss to the Celtics a few days ago.