Coming off of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last season against the Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start out the 2011-2012 season. The team is going through its best early record in the previous eight years, but are still troubled against the more adept teams in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 so far, just 4 of those victories are against teams with records above .500.

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With the Orlando 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 advantage tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this season and will look to increase their record to 6-0. If they are able to grab a win, it will be the first time the team has opened up a season with six consecutive home victories since the 2002-2003 season.

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However the Magic are a fearsome foe who are 11-5 on the season so far. And recent history is all on Orlando’s side. The Magic have beat the Indiana Pacers in Indiana in all the previous 3 competitions between the two. In fact, Orlando has won these matches on the road in Indianapolis by typically 13 points. The latest match between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Indiana Pacers will additionally have to find a way to handle Magic star Dwight Howard. Howard has headed 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 sportsbook shows them as the -3 faves to beat the Magic. The total is established at 182.5.

Both teams come into this game with a 7-3 record over their last 10 matches. The Indiana Pacers have a 5-0 home record so far, while the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a remarkably strong showing after their catastrophic 87-56 loss to the Celts a few days ago.