The game is a ‘vessel’ for Kevin Durant’s grieving for a friend

In the past two weeks, as he mourned the death of his friend Cliff Dixon, Kevin Durant has channeled his heartache into his play. In six Warriors games since Dixon was shot and killed outside an Atlanta-area bar on his 32nd birthday, Durant has been ultra-efficient, averaging 19.3 points on 56.3 percent shooting, six rebounds and seven assists.