Back Magic at home against struggling Pacers

The Orlando Magic are fresh off of an upset win over the Boston Celtics, and they’re back at home to take on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Indiana snapped a seven-game losing streak on Tuesday night, coming back from a massive deficit to upset the Chicago Bulls. The Pacers have struggled without Tyrese Haliburton (elbow) posting one of the worst offensive ratings in the NBA since he went down.

Despite the win, the Pacers find themselves as underdogs in the second night of a back-to-back. In this spot this season, the Pacers are 5-4 against the spread.

The Magic welcomed Jonathan Isaac back into the rotation on Monday night, and they have been much better at home (12-12) than on the road (6-17) this season.

Here’s a look at the odds for this game as well as my best bet:

Pacers vs. Magic odds, spread and total

Pacers vs. Magic prediction and pick

The Magic have struggled as home favorites this season, going just 1-3 against the spread, but this is a favorable matchup with Indiana.

The Pacers are just 9-12 as road dogs, and now they don’t have their best player on a back-to-back. Since Haliburton went down, the Pacers rank dead last in the NBA in offensive rating, which is going to be an issue on Wednesday.

The Magic have an offensive rating that is almost seven points better at home than on the road, and the return of Isaac gives them another scoring option on the wing.

Laying the points with a young team like Orlando is a tricky proposition, but the Pacers aren’t going to erase big deficits every night.

After losing seven of eight, I’ll fade Indiana in the second night of a back-to-back.

IND

Jan. 26

6:00 AM

ORL

ML: +180

ORL -5.5, O/U 234.5

ML: -225

CONSENSUS BETTING ODDS

Peter Dewey

• Pick & odds as of January 25, 2023, 7:31 PM

ORL -5

(-110)