LOOKING AHEAD

WASHINGTON AT CLEVELAND: Thursday at 5 p.m. PST. TV: TNT

With so much attention on the Cavaliers at this point, the Wizards are just as worthy of a look. Washington’s surge is fascinating because it is coming with John Wall out after left knee surgery. The Wizards are 7-2 without him because All-Star guard Bradley Beal is facilitating. He has averages of 21.8 points and 6.4 assists during that nine-game stretch. Also stepping up in the Wall void are Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris, who have increased their scoring during the nine games by more than four points each.