Coming off of a powerful – but losing – playoff effort last year against the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to commence the 2011-2012 year. The team is going through its greatest early record in the previous 8 years, but are still struggling against the more skillful teams in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 thus far, only 4 of those victories are against teams with records above .500.

College football odds

With the Orlando Magic coming to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better challenge on their hands, and they are 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 get a win, it will be the first time the team has opened up a year with six straight home victories since the 2002-2003 year.

College football betting

However the Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the year thus far. And recent history is most on Orlando’s side. The Magic have defeated the Pacers in Indiana in each of the previous three matchups between the two. Actually, Orlando has won these games on the road in Indianapolis by an average of 13 points. The latest contest between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Pacers will also need to find a method to deal with Magic superstar Dwight Howard. Howard has led the team to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each one of these matches. Despite the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sportsbook posts them as the -3 favorites to eliminate the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both teams come into this game with a 7-3 record over their last 10 matches. The Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, whereas the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Look for Orlando to make a astoundingly powerful showing after their disastrous 87-56 loss to the Boston Celtics a couple of days ago.


Written on January 26th, 2012 & filed under Basketball Tags: , , , ,
LEAVE A COMMENT
Comment