Orlando Magic 'Fans Show Great Support', Says Markelle Fultz

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz spoke about having a home court advantage.

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz is excited about playing in front of the team's fans tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans.

"I think it's just give a small taste of what our home court advantage is gonna look like with our fans that come out and show great support," Fultz said. "But again, just to be back home and be comfortable sleeping in our beds and be able to get in a rhythm here, I think it'd be dope."

The Magic performed much better at home last season than they did while on the road. Orlando's home record was 20-21 while its record on the road was 14-27. 

Markelle Fultz was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.  / USA Today Sports

Some would think that the team is better defensively at home due to opponents having to come into a hostile environment, but the opposite seems to be the case. While Orlando gave up around the same amount of points no matter where it was playing (114.7 opponent points per game at home, 113.2 opponent points per game on the road), offensively, the Magic was scoring 114.3 points at home as opposed to 108.5 points on the road. 

Fultz has become a fan-favorite since Orlando traded for the former No. 1 overall pick from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. Last season, he put together the most complete season of his career, playing and starting in 60 games, averaging 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. 

This year, the Magic has a chance to start off the season right, in front of its fans, hosting the Houston Rockets for the first game of the season on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Amway Center.