Magic vs Pacers

Paolo Banchero and the Magic get a golden road spot against a Pacers team riding a nine-game losing streak, missing Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season, and still without key rotation pieces like Obi Toppin and Isaiah Jackson. Orlando has dropped three of its last five but is still sitting above .500 with a top-half defense, while Indiana owns the league’s worst record, a double-digit negative net rating and one of the softest defenses in the NBA. Even with Franz and Moritz Wagner ruled out and Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac all on the injury report, the Magic can lean on Banchero’s history of torching this matchup (including a 50-point explosion vs Indiana last season) plus added shot creation from Bane and Anthony Black when available. Pascal Siakam has been excellent for Indiana, but the combination of Orlando’s more balanced roster, superior efficiency on both ends and the Pacers’ brutal form justifies laying -170 on the better, healthier side despite the modest road tax. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 31/12/2025 10:15

Indiana’s banged-up offense, already 29th in scoring at roughly 110 points per night and dead last in effective field-goal percentage, now has to navigate Orlando’s above-average defense without Haliburton and likely minus multiple rotation pieces such as Toppin and Jackson. The Magic bring a 115.7 offensive rating but are down Franz and Moe Wagner and could again be short Bane and Suggs, which has already pushed more usage onto half-court creators like Banchero and Black and slightly dampened their pace. Recent trends show the Pacers struggling to crack 110 against competent defenses, while Orlando’s own scoring has swung game-to-game, including Monday’s 107-106 loss to Toronto where they coughed up a big lead and ground into a slower fourth quarter. With both teams leaning on shortened, less dynamic guard rotations and the total already ticking down from early 229.5 market openers toward the low 220s, the Under 226 gets the edge based on injury-driven offensive drag and Indiana’s inability to generate efficient looks. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 31/12/2025 10:15

Pascal Siakam has carried Indiana with roughly 23-plus points a night and solid all-around numbers, but his recent surge hasn’t stopped the Pacers from dropping nine in a row, many by multiple possessions, as their 118-plus defensive rating and rebounding issues keep burying them late. Orlando, by contrast, has won two of its last five including a statement victory over Denver and can still roll out Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. and a deep guard group headlined by Tyus Jones, Anthony Black and (if cleared) Bane and Suggs, giving them more two-way stability than Indiana’s patchwork rotation. Banchero’s prior domination of this matchup and the Magic’s significant edge in defensive efficiency suggest they’re well-positioned to squeeze Siakam’s supporting cast, force low-percentage threes from a Pacers team shooting near the bottom of the league from deep and ultimately create separation over 48 minutes. Given the combination of Indiana’s league-worst record, Orlando’s superior shot creation and the Pacers’ ongoing injury pile-up, laying -3.5 with the Magic rates as a solid but not slam-dunk play due to Orlando’s own injury volatility and road variance. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 31/12/2025 10:15