The Orlando Magic (18-29) will host the Indiana Pacers (24-25) in an Eastern Conference meeting. The Pacers have won both head-to-head meetings this season, but the teams have split their games against the spread.
Pacers snapped losing streak on Tuesday
The Pacers are ninth in the Eastern Conference, half a game behind Atlanta. They are 2-5 ATS since losing NBA's leading assists man, Tyrese Haliburton, who last played on January 11. Indiana got off to a 23-18 start before hitting a seven-game losing streak that finally ended the skid with a 116-110 win over Chicago on Tuesday, and now they will go for their second win in as many days. Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner both led the way with 26, and TJ McConnell dropped 20 points with 10 assists in the victory over the Bulls.
cranked the dial to 10 in @GainbridgeFH tonight.🔋 pic.twitter.com/H4a5zLshOX
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 25, 2023
Indiana is 27th in the NBA in offensive efficiency and 20th in defensive efficiency when on the road this season. Against the spread in road games, the Pacers are 11-13. Indiana has dropped their last five road games against the spread, but over a longer sample size, they are 21-10 against the spread over their last 31 games when playing on a back-to-back.
Coming off big win over Boston
The Orlando Magic opened the season with a 5-20 record straight up and have won 13 of their last 22 games since. After losing to Washington 138-118 on Saturday, the Magic bounced back to upset Boston 113-98 on Monday as a 7.5-point dog. Rookie Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 23 points in the win, with Wendell Carter Jr grabbing 11 boards and adding 21 points.
WRLANDO WAGIC 🪄 pic.twitter.com/dnKnjrP3po
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 24, 2023
The Magic are 21st in offensive efficiency in home games and 26th in defensive efficiency this season. Orlando is also 15-9 against the spread at home this season. Orlando is 11-2 in their last 13 games against the spread when playing on one day of rest according to covers.com, and have beaten the number in five of their last six overall.
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This is a tough scheduling spot for the Pacers. Indiana played four straight road games before coming home to face the Bulls last night, and now they are heading to Florida before returning home to face the Bucks on Friday. The Magic have been playing well lately, especially at home against some tough competition. Orlando won has lost its last three head-to-head meetings against Indiana, and with Indiana playing without Haliburton, this is a good revenge spot. TJ McConnell had a big game last night against the Bulls that led the Pacers to victory, and I don't see a repeat of that tonight. I will take the Magic.
Full-Game Total Pick
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Over the last six games, the Pacers are second in pace, and Orlando is 13th. Although the up-tempo style of play could make the over appealing, over the same six-game span, Orlando is just 19th in offensive rating, and Indiana is 29th. Both teams have fared better on on the defensive end, with Orlando rated 13th and Indiana is 20th.
These teams have combined for less than 228 points during regulation in each of their last four meetings. I will take the under here.
