NBA MVP Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah lead the Chicago Bulls back into the Eastern Conference Semifinals with stellar performances against the Atlanta Hawks, winning 86-73. Rose finished with  25 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds while Noah had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals.

The Bulls dominated the glass, and capitalized and their second chance opportunities, out-rebounding Atlanta 58-39. Derrick Rose was forced into committing 8 turnovers, but for a 22-year-old who has just been crowned league MVP, you can live with this based on his overall performance and winning outcome.

The Bulls managed to contain Joe Johnson from being as explosive as he was in game 1, while forcing Al Horford, Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and Marvin Williams to shoot a combined 11-46 from the field. Shooting .244 from the field will not get it done for anyone, anytime, ever, during NBA playoff basketball.

An unexpected lift aws provided by Jeff Teague, whom spent the duration of the season as a limited and unknown quantity. He dropped in 21 points but was inefficient in distributing the ball, producing only 3 assists in nearly 40 minutes.

If the Bulls continue to dominate and disrupt on defense like game 2, this series will swing wide open in their favor, regardless of where they play.

Atlanta needs to sort out some way to bounce back, regroup, and try any means necessary to rekindle their offensive rhythm back at home for the next two games in Atlanta, and fast.

Derrick Rose is gaining more confidence during his first trip to the Semifinals, and his ankle continues to get stronger.

All of this is bad news for the Hawks.

Like I wrote early, and I must reiterate here, if Carlos Boozer ever wakes up and starts dropping in his normal stat line, this series will be all but over for Atlanta. he was good on the glass, but his 4-12 shooting could improve, and has no reason not too.

Luol Deng is silently going about his game as usual, and has been a solid reinforcement in the front court for the Bulls.

Now that the first round of the NBA playoffs has closed, things are tightening up on the NBA. Taking a look at the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and how these teams match up, I will give you my predictions.

Barring major unexpected play from someone we would never imagine (imagine Joel Anthony or Zaza Pachulia dropping in 20 plus points – that sort of out of nowhere) these series seem pretty lopsided.

Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat

This is the round where the Celtics should start to feel the adverse effects of the Kendrick Perkins trade. Luckily for Boston, Miami is missing a legitimate center, and is throwing the rag-tag combination of Big Z, Joel Anthony, and Erick Dampier praying that there are enough fouls and an occasional scorer to help lessen the pressure on Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh.

If Bosh can perform, Miami could advance. However, it will be highly unlikely that Bosh will hold up against the defensive monster that is Kevin Garnett.

Wade has also had a terrible time this year against Boston. I hate to ever bet against Wade, but if there ever is a time, it is during the playoffs against a superior defensive team. Ray Allen shoudl keep Wade busy on both ends of the floor: Wade will chase down Allen as he launches a barrage of three point attempts,  and Allen locking down Wade while on defensive side of the ball.

Boston has the distinct advantage at the point guard position with Rajon Rondo. There is nothing Miami can offer up to stop Rondo. Bibby and Chalmers are pretty much sacrificial lambs being sent out to the slaughter against Rondo.

James and Paul Pierce should be a battle for the ages: James seeking out revenge with backup, and Pierce looking to use every trick in his book and throw it all at James with maximum determination.

As far as matchups go, it is Celtics with the advantage all the way.

Prediction: Celtics in 6

Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks

It’s scary to imagine the Hawks continuing on like they did against the Magic, especially without Kirk Hinrich, who went down with a hamstring injury. But man, wouldn’t it have been great? Don’t count a warrior like Hinrich out just yet, as he would love to upsurge his former team.

Derrick Rose will likely to continue to dominate if his ankle holds up. That being said,and if the ankle is good, there is nothing the Hawks can do to stop Rose. Much like Rondo vs. the Heat example, Rose has nothing in his way, and will dominate this series, and could potentially have more explosive series than his first round. His confidence is at an all time high and in untested waters. Very scary stuff to think about.

Luol Deng is the silent assassin playing more or less like an All Star-like supportive role so far in the post season. Deng should pose problems to Josh Smith if he stays out on the perimeter and drives inside, as perimeter defense is a weakness of Smith, and something the Bulls will look to exploit. Smith is prone to fouling and trying to make plays while trailing, so look for him to find himself in foul trouble.

Joe Johnson will face a myriad of Bulls defensive aces such as Ronnie Brewer and Keith Bogans. Surely Johnson will get his, but at what cost to his energy and overall team chemistry? If Johnson gets frustrated by the Bulls smothering defense, he might shoot himself, and his team, out of the offensive scheme. Jamal Crawford is facing a similar situation.

Even if Johnson can get by his defenders, he will be greeted at the rim by the imposing and crazy-eyed Joakim Noah Not a good situation for Johnson. If Noah adds some offensive put backs and scores a bit, he will have done more than put the Bulls over the top.

Al Horford poses the biggest threat against the Bulls, as he is a monster anyway you look at it. The thing to consider, though, will be if he his impact will register based on how the Hawks supporting cast will be contained. High output from Horford faces the potential to be negated by Chicago’s swarming team defense.

Finally, if Carlos Boozer wakes up, the Bulls could sweep.

Prediction: Bulls in 5.

There are 7 players making their first ever all star appearance during the 2010 NBA All Star Game: Deron Williams, Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Gerald Wallace, and Zack Randolph.

Those noteworthy, yet snubbed, include David Lee of the Knicks, Chris Kaman of the Clippers, and Mo Williams of the Cavaliers. Better luck next season guys!

DERON WILLIAMS

Deron Williams joins fellow Olympian Kobe Bryant in Dallas. (Credit: picapp.com)

Deron Williams is long overdue. He had a legitimate grief for not being named to the game for the past two years. They finally got it right! I might be biased, but that is because I think Deron Williams is the best point guard in the business. No disrespect to Steve Nash or Chris Paul, but when I see Williams play, I feel he is more of a pure point like Nash, but has the ability to overtake a game like Paul. Only time will tell if I am right or not, but Williams size and strength play to his favor over Paul over the long haul. KEVIN DURANT

Sorry David, your All Star chances are "Rejected!" (Credit: picapp.com)

Kevin Durant is not only deserving of an All Star nod, but people should seriously consider putting his name in the MVP hat this year. He is playing brilliant basketball, has a current of 19 games with 25 points or more, his team is a respectable 24-21 and tinkering on the brink of playoff contention.

More importantly, Durant has focused on defense, and as he told me during this twitter interview, and is committed to working hard to improve on every facet of his game. His off season work has proven to be effective this year as his defense is vastly improved this season.

AL HORFORD

Horford's relentless hustle earned him an All-Star appearance. (Credit: picapp.com)

Al Horford is the quiet force in the middle for the Atlanta Hawks. He is one of the most athletic, self sacrificing big men in the NBA today. He might have lower statistical output than David Lee, but coaches understand how good Horford is. He is a walking talking double-double who would be putting up crazy numbers if he got to play his natural position, power forward. Plus, it never hurts your chances if your team has a winning record of 29-15. David Lee knows the Knicks suck, and if anyone on a losing team deserves an All Star bid it’s Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors. DERRICK ROSE

Rose is emerging as one of the leagues best in his 2nd season. (Credit: picapp.com)

Derrick Rose is the Chicago Bulls lately. He has shaken off residuals from his preseason ankle injury while steadily increasing his scoring from 16.2 in November to 23.5 in January. The result is  a 9-5 record thus far during January.

There are few players in the league that possess the “all-in-one” game that Rose has. He will defend his skills challenge this year during the all star weekend as well. I would not be too surprised to see a slam dunk contest in his future. The dude can fly.

RAJON RONDO

It's plays like this that make Rondo an All Star. (Credit: picapp.com)

Rajon Rondo has been an All-Star since day one of the NBA season. He is a vicious defender, leads the league in steals, and is only 0.3 APG away from averaging a double-double on the season. Rondo is on an elite Celtics team in the East, and he is an integral role of the team being so. His selection comes as no shocker. GERALD WALLACE

Wallace joins Duncan among the leagues elite stars. (Credit: picapp.com)

Simple fact: Gerald Wallace is a downright nasty basketball player. He rebounds (11.0 RPG), scores (18.6), and is an all-around stat machine (1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.2 BPG). With the Bobcats contending for the playoffs, Wallace is a extremely deserving All Star. An winning argument could be made for him being an all star for a few years now. Now that Charlotte is winning, Wallace finally gets the nod.

You will also be able to see his insane dunking ability in the 2010 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Competition.

ZACH RANDOLPH

Randolph has revived his career in Memphis. (Credit: picapp.com)

Last, but certainly not least, is Zach Randolph. Randolph has had a stigma surrounding him his entire career. He has been considered a distraction, selfish, or a long list or other words I dare not type, by teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

This year Randolph appears to have matured, taken the Grizzlies under his wing, and is making Memphis a team nobody wants to play. They currently rank 7th in the Western Conference playoff standings, and if San Antonio does not get it together soon, the Griz might rise higher before the end of the season.