#1) Chicago Bulls vs #5) Atlanta Hawks
Bulls PG Derrick Rose is playing like an MVP. The Hawks upset Orlando in round 1, but its hard to see them flying any further. The bulls in Pamplona are safer than the ones in Chicago right now.
Prediction: Bulls in 6

#2 Miami Heat vs #3 Boston Celtics
The Heat's LaBron James had to face the Celtics in the Conference semis in 2008 and 2010 when he was a Cleveland Cavalier. Boston won both times in route to the NBA finals. Could we see one last Shaq attack? Could it be the Big 3's last stand?
Prediction: Celtics in 6

Western Conference
#2 L.A. Lakers vs #3 Dallas Mavericks
The Lakers Kobe Bryant may have something to say about who wins the MVP. This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams since they both became western conference powers.
Prediction: Lakers in 6

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Memphis Grizzlies
Another league MVP candidate, OKC's Kevin Durant, led the Thunder to there 1st playoff series win since the franchise moved from Seattle. The Grizzlies upset the #1 San Antonio Spurs in the 1st round, giving Memphis their first playoff series victory in franchise history. Kevin Durant vs. the Grizzlies Zach Randolph is a matchup many fans drool over. Starting to like the in-state franchise, but I like home court advantage better
Prediction: Thunder in 7.

Former Vol PG CJ Watson is doing well. The only UT alum playing in the NBA has one of the best jobs anyone could. As a member of the Chicago Bulls, CJ will never start or even play very many minutes. Someone named Derrick Rose has already locked that down, maybe you've heard of him. That is not really a bad thing. The Bulls were an NBA best 62-20 during the regular season. They lead Indiana 2-0 in their 1st round playoff series. The Bulls are a legit championship contender. The Golden St Warriors, who CJ played with since he came into the league in 2008, never made the playoffs while he was there. Golden St didn't make the plaoffs this year either

Derrick Rose's backup doesn't have a lot of pressure to perform. Rose's backup won't have to deliver very often in crunch time, barring an injury or foul trouble. Rose's backup doesn't have to come into a game and light it up. What CJ Watson does is play around 10-12 minutes of a 48 minute game. What CJ does is come in and run the offense smoothly and make sure his tremendously talented teammates are all on the same page. What CJ does is make sure he avoids crucial turnovers. CJ's play hasn't lacked scoring either. He shot almost 40% from behind the 3 point line in the regular season and averaged nearly 5 points a game. In game 2 vs the Pacers, CJ had 7 big points off the bench in a 6 point Chicago win.

Its good to see CJ Watson play meaningful postseason basketball. At Tennessee, he had very few opportunities. Coach Pearl's 1st season was CJ's senior one. The Vols beat Winthrop in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament but lost to Wichita St in the 2nd. That was in 2006. In four years at Tennessee (2003-2006), CJ's teams were 1-4 in the SEC tournament with three one-and-dones. They were 0-2 in the NIT. Thats 2 wins in 9 career postseason games for CJ Watson's teams at Tennessee. Not his fault obviously. They never made it to March Madness until his senior season. But now, CJ is on the right team at the right time. If he spends a few years as Derrick Rose's backup point guard, CJ Watson could end up with multiple rings. Even one ring would be one more than the great Charles Barkley has. Not a bad gig at all. Much worse jobs out there for sure! And I didn't even mention what an NBA paycheck brings in. CJ Watson, you've done good!

Eastern Conference
1) Chicago Bulls (62-20) vs 8) Indiana Pacers (37-45)
Prediction: Bulls in 5

4) Orlando Magic (52-30) vs 5) Atlanta Hawks (44-38)
Prediction: Hawks in 7

3) Boston Celtics (56-26) vs 6) New York Knicks (42-40)
Prediction: Celtics in 5

2) Miami Heat (58-24) vs 7) Philadelphia 76ers (41-41)
Prediction: Heat in 4

Western Conference
1) San Antonio Spurs (61-21) vs Memphis Grizzlies (46-36)
Prediction: Spurs in 6

4) Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27) vs Denver Nuggets (50-32)
Prediction: Thunder in 7

3) Dallas Mavericks (57-25) vs Portland Trail Blazers (48-34)
Prediction: Trail Blazers in 7

2) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs New Orleans Hornets (46-36)
Prediction: Lakers in 4