WNBA Finals preview: Lynx look for revenge against Sparks

What's at stake

The Lynx are already a dynasty – they have made the WNBA Finals in six of the last seven years, winning three championships along the way. But that doesn't mean they aren't hungry; whether they will openly admit it or not, this team has spent the offseason retooling their games specifically to get revenge on the Sparks. This is a veteran team – four players have 14 years of experience or more, and while most of their starters are still in good health, they all know greatness doesn't last forever.

Back in L.A., the Sparks have the look of a dynasty-in-the-making. If the Sparks win, they would accomplish something the Lynx have never done before, by capturing back-to-back championships. They would also become the first team to win back-to-back titles since, well, the Sparks did it back in 2001 and 2002.

During the regular season, the Sparks won the series against the Lynx 2-1, but both of the Lynx's losses came when starting point guard Lindsay Whalen was out with a broken wrist. Whalen is back now and looking as solid as ever, so it's hard to take too much from those games.

Two key match-ups to watch

The Sparks have two-time MVP Candace Parker and 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike in their frontcourt, plus 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Alana Beard, 2017 All-Star Chelsea Gray, and superstar-in-the-making Odyssey Sims in the backcourt.

The Lynx meanwhile have 2017 MVP Sylvia Fowles at center, former-MVP Maya Moore at small forward, and power forward Rebekkah Brunson, point guard Lindsay Whalen, and guard Seimone Augustus filling out the lineup, leaving them with a starting five that collectively boasts 25 All-Star selections and 10 Olympic gold medals.

Needless to say, narrowing this down to just two key match-ups is a tall task.

In the frontcourt, keep an eye out for the battle of the MVPs, Fowles vs. Ogwumike. Ogwumike is the only player in the league that has the athleticism to even somewhat contain Fowles, as she showed on the last play of last year's Finals, when she grabbed the offensive rebound and made the championship-winning shot right over Fowles's head. However, Fowles is playing the best basketball of her career, and took the ending of last year extremely personally, so she'll be determined to make Ogwumike pay for that.

Meanwhile in the backcourt, beware of Moore vs. Beard. Beard is the best defensive guard in the league by far, and as she showed last season, she also has the capability to change the complexion of games with her offense. She'll be all over the court, putting pressure on Whalen and Augustus, but Moore will be her main focus – in The Players' Tribune, Beard said that Moore was the toughest player in the league to guard.

Beard is one of the only defenders in the league who has a chance against Moore one-on-one, and it's crucial that she does that this series. If Moore gets going offensively, and the Sparks need to pull another defender over to cover her, that would really open up things in the middle for Fowles and Brunson to take over the game.

The x-factors

Look, we know the four MVPs on the floor will all come to play, but who else should you be on the lookout for?

Well, from the starting lineups, look for Augustus from the Lynx and Sims from the Sparks to both almost single-handedly take over at least one game each this series.

While Augustus has been having the most efficient season of her 14-year career, she hasn't necessarily been having the most assertive season offensively. But after scoring 15 or more points just five times during the regular season, she's exploded so far this postseason, finishing the Mystics series with games of 24 points, 15 points, and 19 points, respectively.

Sims, who joined the Sparks in February, has been a phenomenal addition to the team. She took over the starting point guard spot from Essence Carson midseason, and has thrived. She scored more than 20 points in the final two semifinal games against the Mercury, and the team will need her to do that again, particularly if Ogwumike and Parker get in foul trouble early, which is a legit concern.

If you're looking for x-factors from the bench, keep an eye on Jantel Lavender for the Sparks and Renee Montgomery from the Lynx. Lavender will provide some inside help against Fowles, and her play will especially be crucial if the aforementioned foul trouble rears its ugly head. Montgomery has the ability to light things up from beyond the arch, which can change the complexion of a game in a flash.

Advantage: Minnesota

These teams are incredibly evenly matched, but the Lynx have an advantage when it comes to rebounding, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, as they average three more offensive rebounds per game than the Sparks.

While it will be important for the Lynx to show off their improved three-point game, it's likely that these games will be tight and will come down to an offensive rebound here or there. If they maintain their advantage in that category, they should be able to add a fourth trophy to their mantle.

Advantage: Los Angeles

The Sparks need to be physical and aggressive, particularly in transition and in the paint. Statistically, their advantages come in free-throw percentage, steals, and turnovers.

If they can keep a lead in all three of those categories, they can disrupt Minnesota's rhythm, get some of the Lynx starters in foul trouble, and allow their (relative) youth and athleticism to turn the tide.

While the Sparks are the defending champions, they're also the underdogs. If they use that truth to play scrappy, not scared, they could play spoilers once more.