5 THINGS TO KNOW

1. Hawks 102, Knicks 98 (OT)

Dennis Schroder scored 27 points, Dwight Howard added 16 points and 22 rebounds, and the Hawks took advantage of Carmelo Anthony’s second-quarter ejection to beat New York on Wednesday night. Derrick Rose had 26 points for the Knicks

2. Ga .Tech 59, N.C. A&T 52

Tech handed the Aggies their 12th straight loss. The Yellow Jackets open conference play Saturday against North Carolina.

3. Newton’s visit a special gift

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Auburn alum flew to Atlanta on his day off this week to meet Taylor Austin Deckard, a 10-year-old War Eagle fan with a “severe heart condition”at Egleston Hospital, whose Christmas wish was to meet Newton. The meeting of the two was captured in a heartwarming video and tweeted by Auburn University, and features Deckard, who is at first visibly shocked and amazed and then goes for the hug, which Newton returns lovingly. “When I first went in there, it was like he was frozen!” Newton said. “Then … he just hugs me and it’s just … the parent touch, man. You can’t really explain it.”

4. Speaking of famous alumni

The Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board will take up a proposal next month to rename a street leading into Gainesville High School after one of its most famous alumni, Clemson quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Deshaun Watson. Touchdown Drive, within view of the Hall County school’s football field, will bear the name Watson Drive if it meets the board’s approval.

5. Major winner Ivanovic retires

Ana Ivanovic retired from tennis at age 29 Wednesday, ending a career in which she was ranked No. 1 in 2008 but can no longer play at the highest level because of injuries. In a live broadcast on Facebook, Ivanovic said “it was a difficult decision, but there is so much to celebrate.” The Serb won 15 tour titles, including the 2008 French Open.