Detroit Pistons' Saddiq Bey scores 51 for NBA's 8th 50-point game in March

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Saddiq Bey went off for a career-high 51 points in the Pistons 134-120 win over the Magic, continuing what has already been a torrid month of individual scoring in the NBA.

The league had eight 50-point games in March, the most in one month over the past 50 seasons. In December 1962, there were nine 50-point games.

There have been 17 50-point games this season, and Bey is the 13th player to do it, matching the most in a season in NBA history. He is the youngest player in Pistons history to score 50 points.

The Magic gave up 21 points in the first quarter to Bey, two nights after being torched for 16 points in the first quarter by Irving.

I saw those highlights and they were very efficient. Bey said that it was within the flow of the game and that there have been a lot of great performances in the past two weeks. I am grateful to be in this league and have the opportunity.

The Detroit Pistons played the bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference in a game of Marvin Bagley III and 20 points. The leader of the team with 26 points was Franz Wagner.

"Rebuilding is always ugly, but there are a lot of beautiful moments like tonight," Detroit coach DwaneCasey said.

Bey scored five points in less than five seconds to finish the first half with a career-high. He hit a 20-footer while falling out of bounds with 8.8 seconds left, came up with a back-court steal and made a 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left, leaving the Pistons with a 73-62 lead.

"He had 30 points at half so we were definitely expecting 50," said the Pistons center, who had 16 points and 10 rebound.

The first nine points of the game were scored by the Magic. The Pistons took the lead on a dunk by Stewart that broke the tie midway through the second quarter.

Bey said it was just the flow of the game. My teammates found me and encouraged me to stay aggressive.

The Pistons shot 50 percent and scored 134 points.

Bey got going early and he hit some tough shots, but we have to do a better job of not letting him do what he wants to do.

The report was contributed to by the Associated Press.