LOS ANGELES — As the Sparks and Lynx gear up for what could be a championship clinching tilt (8:30 PM ET, ESPN), WNBA.com spoke with ESPN analyst LaChina Robinson to get her take on what Minnesota needs to do to bring the series back to the Midwest, and what L.A. can do to win their first WNBA title since 2002.

Keys for Los Angeles

“It was obvious that the contributions of Alana Beard and Essence Carson both on offense and defense were huge. And if I had to call an x-factor I would say the two of them. Setting the tone for the defense, and their ability to hit shots when their names are called.”

“I think Nneka [Ogwumike] is going to get hers. With Candace [Parker] and Kristi [Toliver], they have have their big three. But the x-factor is going to Beard and Carson.”

Keys for Minnesota

“I think they need to hit some threes. They need to be able to be more effective on the offensive end, and obviously limit the turnovers. But I really think the three-point shot can be a separator in a game like this.

“Making the L.A. defense work in the half court and hitting their shots helps on the defensive end, too. It allows them to not have to play in transition against L.A. because that’s where they’re really good. Their ability to stretch the floor and force L.A. to defend.”