Orlando Magic visit Indiana Pacers Jan 24 in NBA Sports Wagering
Arriving from of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last season versus the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 season. The team is experiencing its best early record in the previous eight years, but are still troubled versus the more skillful teams in the league. While they are 11-4 thus far, simply 4 of those wins are versus teams with records above .500.
Football odds
With the Orlando Magic arriving to visit on Tuesday, January 24, the Pacers will have a better task on their hands, and they are 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 are able to get a victory, it will be the 1st time the team has opened up a season with 6 straight home wins since the 2002-2003 season.
Football odds
However the Magic are a fearsome enemy who are 11-5 on the season thus far. And recent history is most on Orlando’s side. The Magic have beat the Pacers in Indiana in each of the previous 3 competitions between the two. Actually, Orlando has won these matches on the road in Indianapolis by about 13 points. The latest match between the two was January 26, 2011.
The Pacers will additionally need to find a way to cope with 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 contests. Despite the challenges ahead for the Pacers, the sports book lists them as the -3 favorites to defeat the Magic. The total is set at 182.5.
Both teams come into this match with a 7-3 record over their last 10 contests. The Pacers have a 5-0 home record thus far, whereas the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Watch for Orlando to make a unexpectedly strong showing after their devastating 87-56 loss to the Boston Celtics a handful of days ago.
