A champion will be crowned on Thursday night.

At 8 PM ET, the Lynx and Sparks begin their clash for the final time in what has been nothing short of an epic series that will leave an indelible mark in WNBA history.

After splitting the first two games, L.A. won Game 3 in resounding fashion and had a chance to win its third title in franchise history on Sunday. Maya Moore and the Lynx were not about to let this happen as the 2014 WNBA MVP put together an all-time performance to send the series back to Minnesota for a deciding Game 5.

These two teams are well acquainted with each other and know exactly what needs to be done if it’s going to be their team showered in confetti Thursday night.

MORE: 2016 WNBA Finals Central

Minnesota Lynx

Dominate The Boards

If the Lynx want to win their fourth title in six years, a good place to start is by winning the battle of the boards. In their two victories this series, they’ve out rebounded the Sparks, 87-57. Defensive Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles is a rebound machine and her activity in the paint goes a long way in setting the tone for the rest of her team.

But guards Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen are just as vital to Minnesota’s rebounding cause. For example, in their Sunday night win all three recorded at least six rebounds. By doing so they can immediately turn defense into offense in one fluid motion.

Spread the Wealth

Additionally, in the two Lynx wins they’ve dolled out 18 and 20 assists. More importantly, at least seven different players recorded an assist in those wins. When the Lynx are looking to make the extra pass and swinging the ball not only efficiently but effectively they are virtually unstoppable.

The offense begins with Lindsay Whalen who has established herself as one of the preeminent passing point guards in the WNBA. Her laser-sharp court vision allows Minnesota to get those easy buckets that can make all the difference in a closely contested series like these Finals.

Let Maya Do What Maya Does

This may be the most obvious but also important key for the Lynx if they want win Game 5. Maya Moore is a special player who can do things on the floor that most simply cannot. Never was this more obvious than in Game 4. Moore was virtually unstoppable en route to 31 points, and she got hers in a variety of ways, showcasing why she was voted as one of the 20 best players over the last 20 seasons.

If Maya gets hot and takes Game 5 over like she did on Sunday, it will be a night to remember in the Target Center.

Los Angeles Sparks

Get Essence Carson Going

The most lopsided Sparks victory in the series came in Game 3 and when Essence Carson shot 6-for-10 from the field and finished with 16 points. Carson often flies under the radar behind Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker and Kristi Toliver, but getting a solid scoring output from her is a necessity to combat the Olympic quartet that Minnesota boasts.

Her Game 3 performance in tandem with the aforementioned Big Three  pushed L.A. to a convincing victory and could be the difference in Game 5.

Keep Possessions Alive

Again, looking back to L.A.’s 92-75 Game 3 victory, the squad out rebounded Minnesota 11-5 on the offensive glass. There’s no more demoralizing moment for a defense then when they have the chance to end a possession but the opponent snags a rebound and gets a second-chance opportunity.

Ogwumike and Parker are two of the best in the business and pulled down three offensive boards apiece in the Game 3 win. Their ability to extend possessions were a real catalyst for the Sparks in the game, and have been all season.

Bench Spark Could Prove Vital 

In their buzzer-beating Game 1 victory, Chelsea Gray and Jantel Lavender combined for 20 points off the bench. The Lynx will target Ogwumike and Parker and do everything in their power to limit what they can do on the floor. If they happen to be successful and the duo is slowed, Gray and Lavender will need to do their part to keep the scoring coming.

They are capable shot-makers and must not hesitate to take open shots in the biggest game of their careers.