Leading off from a valiant – but fruitless – playoff effort in 2011 against the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 NBA year. The team is earning its best starting record in the last eight years, but they still struggle when facing the more talented teams in the league.
However, the Magic are a tough opponent who are 11-5 on the year at this point. Also, recent history is all on Orlando’s side. The Magic have beaten the Pacers in Indiana in each of the last three meetings between the two.
Both teams come into this game with a 7-3 record over their previous ten contests. The Pacers have a 5-0 record at home so far, and the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Look for Orlando to make a surprisingly strong first quarter after their pitiful 87-56 blowout to the Boston Celtics a few days ago.