Coming off of a formidable – but losing – playoff effort last season vs the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to begin the 2011-2012 season. The squad is going through its greatest early record in the previous 8 years, but are still struggling vs the more proficient squads in the league. Whereas they are 11-4 so far, just 4 of those victories are vs squads with records above .500.

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With the Orlando Magic arriving to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Indiana Pacers will have a better challenge on their hands, and they’re going to need the home court advantage tonight. Indiana is undefeated at home this season and will look to prolong their record to 6-0. If they’re able to pull out a victory, it’ll be the 1st time the squad has opened up a season with six consecutive home victories since the 2002-2003 season.

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But the Magic are a fearsome adversary who are 11-5 on the season so far. And the recent past is most on Orlando’s side. The Magic have beat the Indiana Pacers in Indiana in all the previous three competitions between the two. In reality, Orlando has won these games on the road in Indianapolis by typically 13 points. The most recent competition between the two was January 26, 2011.

The Indiana Pacers will furthermore need to find a way to handle Magic celebrity Dwight Howard. Howard has headed the squad to an 11-3 record over Indiana, and he has put up double-doubles in each of these matches. In spite of the challenges ahead for the Indiana Pacers, the sports book posts them as the -3 favorites to eliminate the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.

Both squads come into this match 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. Look for Orlando to make a unexpectedly formidable showing after their disastrous 87-56 loss to the Celts a few days ago.