No. 1 Minnesota (28-6) vs. No. 2 Los Angeles (26-8)

Season Series: Lynx won 2-1.

What’s at stake

Minnesota is looking to win a fourth title in six years and become first team in the WNBA to win consecutive titles since Los Angeles did it in 2001 and 2002. The Sparks are trying to win their first championship since that back-to-back pair.

Projected Starters (Playoff Stats) Minnesota: Lindsay Whalen (15.3 ppg, 4.3 apg); Seimone Augustus (10.3 ppg, 4.7 apg); Maya Moore (25.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg); Rebekkah Brunson (8.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg); Sylvia Fowles (12.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg).

Los Angeles: Alana Beard (5.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Kristi Toliver (14.8 ppg, 2.5 spg); Essence Carson (5.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Candace Parker (22.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg); Nneka Ogwumike (21.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg).

Tip-ins

There is little separating these two teams which were dominant throughout the season. In their three meetings, the road team won each contest. … Thanks to the new playoff format, this will pit the teams with the best records. … About the only thing missing from Parker’s career was playing in the WNBA Finals. She’d appeared in 28 playoff games, but never made it this far. … Game 3 will be played at USC because Staples Center is hosting opening night for the Los Angeles Kings.

Prediction: Minnesota in five games.