Brian Thomas: The NBA playoffs are right around the corner, and the Chicago Bulls have the No. 1 seed in the East locked up. Assuming that they make it through their first two matchups, taking care of the Indiana Pacers in the first round and then presumably the Orlando Magic in the second round, who would you rather have the Bulls play in the conference finals in order to advance to the NBA Finals? The big three of the Boston Celtics or the Heatles?

Jimmy Johnson: Personally, I’d like the Bulls to take on the Celtics. The boys from Beantown have not been the same since trading center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Kristic. Plus, it seems like they’re soaked in the idea of not having Perkins be a part of the team, which has taken away from their overall intensity. With that being said, I’m guessing you’re taking the Heat, Brian?

BT: Yes Jimmy, I would prefer the Bulls to play the Heat. The Bulls have proven in the regular season they can handle the Heat. Chicago swept Miami in the three games they played this year. Two of the three wins were at home, but the Bulls have home-court in the playoffs anyway, and have been outstanding at home this year with a record of 35-5. Chicago hasn’t had the success against Boston this year that they have against Miami, so I like my chances with the Heat.

JJ: I’m not going to hinge on regular season matchups here. I don’t like the idea of meeting Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in a seven-game playoff series. My main concern for this is because once the playoffs begin, everything changes, including how teams run things on both ends. You know that all the offensive looks will be geared for Wade and James while the rest of the Heat roster will take a back seat. Boston, on the other hand, appears to be over the hill, and I’m firm on the belief that the Bulls can run them out of the United Center and TD Garden.

BT: I’m not putting all of my emphasis on regular season games. Boston is a much more complete and experienced team than Miami is, plain and simple. Yes, Miami has James and Wade, but other than those two guys, no one scares me. Chris Bosh is overrated, and if he wants to have another 1-for-21 shooting night against us, that’s fine with me. Miami has the worst bench in the NBA, and no one can come into the game and make a difference for them. Boston has one of the deepest teams in the league with one of the strongest benches. As far as experience goes, Boston has been here before, and they have all their key pieces in place and healthy to make a run, whereas this is the first year Miami has been in this position and we don’t know what to expect from them.