Posted by nick in blogging.
Leading off from a valiant – but fruitless – playoff effort last season against number one Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers have come roaring back to start the 2011-2012 NBA year. The organization is experiencing its best starting record in the last eight seasons, but they still struggle against the more proficient teams in the league.
But the Magic are a tough adversary that are 11-5 on the year so far. And recent history is clearly favoring Orlando. The Magic have won over the Pacers in Indiana in each of the last three meetings between the two.
Both teams come into this matchup with a 7-3 record over their previous ten games. The Pacers have a 5-0 record at home right now, while the Magic are 5-3 on the road. Expect Orlando to make a surprisingly strong first quarter after their disastrous 87-56 blowout to the Boston Celtics a few days ago.