FIRST LOOK AT THE WNBA FINALS

Small forward: Mwadi Mabika (16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds) vs. Crystal Robinson (11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds). Mabika was hampered by a left ankle sprain during the Utah series but looked as if she had recovered with 15 points in series-clinching victory Saturday. She will need her quickness to neutralize Robinson’s strength around the basket, as well as her leaping ability for rebounds. Robinson will get her points but has had trouble stopping explosive, quick forwards such as Tamika Catchings and Chamique Holdsclaw without help.

Advantage: Sparks.

Power forward: DeLisha Milton (11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds) vs. Tamika Whitmore (12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds). Arguably the most crucial matchup of the series. Milton averaged 18 points against Utah, making five of nine from three-point range. Whitmore averaged 15.3 points against the Mystics and is a dominant scorer from inside eight feet. Whitmore has to figure a way around Milton’s long arms, and Milton has to keep Whitmore from overpowering her inside the key.

Advantage: Even.

Center: Lisa Leslie (16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds) vs. Tara Phillips (14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds). Both are intensely competitive post players, and neither has much use for the other. Phillips not only gives up about three inches in height, she was noticeably limping in the Washington series. If her ankles are not sound, she will not be able to keep up with Leslie, who is as comfortable away from the basket as she is underneath it.

Advantage: Sparks.

Shooting guard: Tamecka Dixon (10.6, 4.0 assists) vs. Vickie Johnson (11.6 points, 2.8 assists). Both players have been solid in the postseason. Dixon is scoring in double figures, shooting 54% from the field after averaging 39% in the regular season. Johnson has been at her best when it mattered most, scoring 19 and 21 points in the series-clinching wins over Indiana and Washington.

Advantage: Even.

Point guard: Nikki Teasley (6.4 points, 4.4 assists) vs. Teresa Weatherspoon (3.4 points, 5.7 assists). Weatherspoon is the epitome of the cagey old pro, but her lack of offense has been glaring. Against Utah, Teasley looked the best she has all season. She had 11 points, nine assists and no turnovers Saturday and is playing at her highest level of confidence.

Advantage: Sparks.

Coaches: Michael Cooper vs. Richie Adubato. Cooper has the Sparks back at the level of efficiency they were at last year in winning the title. Adubato has been squeezing every ounce of emotion and effort he can out of the Liberty. Cooper has a big edge in overall talent, Adubato a slight edge in Xs and O’s.

Advantage: Even.

The series: This is the kind of coast-to-coast championship matchup the league has privately waited for since it began play in 1997. New York is making its fourth trip to the championship series and still is waiting for a ring. The Sparks, aiming to repeat as champions, have won seven games in a row. The Sparks have reason to be glad they have home-court advantage because no team feeds off the home-court energy the way New York does. The Sparks have yet to be in a position where they had to win or be eliminated. But the Liberty needs to win Game 1, considering it lost its road playoff games at Indiana and Washington and was pushed to the limit in each series, while the Sparks swept Seattle and Utah.

Pick: Sparks in three.