Saddiq Bey of the Detroit Pistons put on a show last night when no one was looking.
Pistons vs. Magic was the only NBA game on the schedule last night, it was St. Patrick’s Day, and there was a full slate of NCAA Tournament games to compete with, so not that many fans saw what Saddiq Bey did, which was have the game of his career and one of the best individual performances in team history.
Bey dropped 51 points and added 10 rebounds on a shorthanded night and Detroit won a shootout in Orlando134-120, outlasting the Magic on a night without much defense.
The loss dropped Orlando into a tie with Houston for the worst record in the league and put the Detroit Pistons 1.5 games ahead with the third-worst record.
It was a night to remember for Saddiq Bey, who became the 8th player this month to score 50+ points, a record for the NBA.
Pistons vs. Magic: Saddiq Bey by the numbers
It was clear from the beginning that Saddiq Bey was feeling it.
After the Pistons went behind 9-0 to start the game, Bey went to work, hitting a three-point shot to get Detroit on the board, something that would be a theme for the night.
Bey went on to hit 10-of-14 from behind the 3-point line, tying Joe Dumars for the most made 3’s in a game in Pistons’ history.
He scored 51 points on just 27 shots, working the Magic, who had just let up 60 to Kyrie Irving the game before, from all three levels.
Bey was impressive going to the hoop and finishing through traffic in addition to his 3-point display.
You don’t see many efficient 50 point games, but that is exactly what Saddiq Bey did last night. He put the Pistons on his back and will hopefully start to get some attention as one of the best young players in the league.