Golden State is playing well since Brian Winters replaced Dave Cowens. The Warriors came into last night's game 4-3 since Winters was named interim head coach on Dec. 15.

Winters has been an assistant with Golden State for the past two seasons. Winters was an assistant with the Cavs from 1986 to 1993. Winters has played for or been an assistant under an incredible list of coaches: Frank McGuire (South Carolina), Bill Sharman, Larry Costello, Don Nelson, Pete Carril and Lenny Wilkens.

Winters also played high school basketball for Jack Curran, who has won more than 800 games and is still coaching Archbishop Molloy in Queens, N.Y. Winters' first job was with Vancouver, in its first year (1995) of existence. He lasted less than a year and a half. This is his first head coaching job since.

Happy New Year:

With only six home games this month and six road games in nine days starting next week, Cavs coach John Lucas said January is critical for the Cavs.

"We have to come out and protect our home court and win some road games," Lucas said. "We've got to try to win seven or eight games. That's going to be very tough. But I expect a lot from our team and we have to stay focused."

Homecoming:

Golden State assistant coach Phil Hubbard returned to Cleveland last night. Hubbard is a native of Canton and a former Cav.

"I hate to see someone get fired but it did give me more responsibility, especially on the defensive end," said Hubbard about the firing of Cowens. "Since Winters has taken over, the players have played with more energy. Brian is more of a teacher and that's what young players need."

New coaches:

Last night was the third straight game that the Cavs faced a team with an interim coach. It was Don Chaney (New York) on Friday and Bill Cartwright (Chicago) on Saturday.

Golden State and Cavs connections:

Lucas and Golden State assistant Clifford Ray were teammates on the Warriors during the late '70s.

Ray was an assistant under Cavs assistant coach Keith Smart while Smart was the head coach of Fort Wayne in the CBA. Ray and Cavs assistant coach Jerry Eaves were both assistants in New Jersey.