The Cavaliers have until Feb. 1 to practice their four-second drill, but in the immediate future, they must tackle the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks.

The Cavaliers are at Detroit tomorrow for a televised game and then return home Thursday to face rapidly-improving Atlanta and a healthy Pete Maravich.

NBA COMMISSIONER Walter Kennedy yesterday upheld the Cavs' protest of the Dec. 3 game at Buffalo when the Braves thought they had a 91-90 victory.

Cavs' coach Bill Fitch protested, contending his team was not afforded the full benefit of a time out called by Cleveland with four seconds to play.

Those final four seconds will be replayed at the conclusion of a regularly scheduled contest between the two clubs on Feb. 1 with the Cavaliers taking the ball out at midcourt.

A Buffalo cynic said yesterday, "Our defense has been so bad, Cleveland probably will score the winning basket on a layup."

THE CAVS also were refunded $1,000 protest fee and the Dec. 3 game has been stricken from the records until the game is completed.

The reason the first game will be played at the conclusion of a regularly scheduled contest is that the league wants both teams to be as tired as they were with four seconds to play the first time.

This is only the third time in the 26-year NBA history a protest was upheld.

However, first things first and that's the Pistons.

The Cavs have won three in a row over the Motor City quintet, but they'll be weakened tomorrow night.

CHARLIE DAVIS and Austin Carr already have been scratched from the game and guard Bobby Washington is doubtful. Bobby has an infection on his right thigh and it is slowing him down.

Fitch says John Warren and Butch Beard will continue to start in the back court, but rookie Jackie Ridgle has been elevated to third guard.

Davis is expected back on Sunday when the Cavs meet Baltimore, but Carr's status is still indefinite.

Fitch adds John Johnson also will see guard duty in the games ahead.

Ridgle was impressive in brief appearances over the weekend, scoring eight and five points against New York and Chicago, respectively.