The Sparks vs. the Liberty. The reigning WNBA champions vs. the four-time Eastern Conference champions. The team with the best regular-season record in the WNBA vs. the team with the best regular-season record in the Eastern Conference. An epic clash will begin when the WNBA Finals tip off on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). To preview the matchup of league heavyweights, WNBA.com poses several key questions.

LOS ANGELES SPARKS
vs.
NEW YORK LIBERTY
Teams split season series, 1-1

REGULAR-SEASON MEETINGS
May 25 at L.A.: Sparks 72, Liberty 64
Recap | Box score
July 18 at L.A.: Liberty 72, Sparks 59
Recap | Box score

Head-to-head leaders:
SPARKS
LIBERTY
Pts.
L. Leslie (15.0)
T. Whitmore (19.5)
Rebs.
L. Leslie (12.5)
V. Johnson (5.5)
T. Phillips (5.5)
Asts.
T. Dixon (5.5)
T. Weatherspoon (5.5)

Bottom Line: If the Liberty play defense the way they're capable, the Sparks could have their hands full in a three-game series. Matchup between All-Star centers Lisa Leslie and Tari Phillips should be one to remember.

Question No. 1: Can anyone stop Los Angeles' Lisa Leslie?
After averaging 16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.90 blocks and 1.48 steals per game during the regular season, Lisa Leslie stepped up her game in the WNBA Playoffs with 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.25 blocks and 2.50 steals per game in four victories. In two regular-season games against the Liberty, the 2001 Most Valuable Player averaged 15.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game. New York�s All-Star center Tari Phillips draws the defensive assignment and will have plenty of motivation after she drew criticism from Leslie for alleged overly physical play during the All-Star Game. Let the battle begin.
Advantage: Sparks

Question No. 2: Will youth or experience win out at the point?
Starting New York point guard Teresa Weatherspoon is 36, shot .342 from the field and averaged a career-low 3.4 points, 5.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds this season. Starting Los Angeles Sparks point guard Nikki Teasley is 23, shot .404 from the field, and had an impressive rookie campaign averaging 6.4 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. On the other hand, Weatherspoon has played in 27 WNBA playoff games compared to four for Teasley. Experience matters in the playoffs.
Advantage: Liberty

Question No. 3: Which team fights better?
Literally. When New York welcomed Los Angeles to Madison Square Garden in their second meeting of the regular season, the Liberty and Sparks engaged in fisticuffs that evoked memories of other great boxing matchups at the World�s Most Famous Arena. Los Angeles� Sophia Witherspoon punched New York�s Becky Hammon twice in the stomach during the first half and Phillips and Los Angeles� DeLisha Milton exchanged shoves in the second half before being whistled for double technical fouls.
Advantage: Toss-up

Question No. 4: Does Los Angeles or New York have more to prove?
Los Angeles won its first WNBA Finals last season, but some fans unfairly questioned the legitimacy of the title since the Sparks won in a season in which Houston�s All-Star Sheryl Swoopes didn�t play. Well, Swoopes played this season and the Sparks still found their way back to the WNBA Finals. Now, they would love nothing more than to silence the critics once and for all. Speaking of proving something, the Liberty want to prove to the world that they are one of the WNBA�s elite teams. New York (18-14) finished seven games behind the Sparks (25-7) during the regular season, but know that all the naysayers will be quiet if the Liberty win the WNBA Finals.
Advantage: Sparks

Question No. 5: Will New York�s defense contain Los Angeles� offense?
Los Angeles led the WNBA in points per game during the regular season with 76.0 ppg, while New York ranked second in the league in points allowed by limiting its opponents to 63.0 ppg. In the two head-to-head matchups between the teams, the Liberty held the Sparks to 65.5 points per game proving that their defensive prowess can control Los Angeles.
Advantage: Liberty