The keys for the Lynx to beat Tulsa at 6 p.m. Sunday at Target Center:

1) Show up on time so Shock don't score a lot of points early without an opponent on the court.

2) Don't eat any bad food before the game to avoid upset stomachs.

3) Guard against overconfidence.

That was my attempt at humor. Seriously, the Lynx do have some things they need to work on against Tulsa.

* Inside scoring. It has vanished recently. Rebekkah Brunson and Taj McWilliams-Franklin combined for six points in the Lynx's 79-76 victory at Chicago. They need to get their confidence back on offense. They combined for 11 points in loss at Phoenix on Tuesday.

* Interior defense. Sylvia Fowles, Sky' 6-6 center, was 11 of 13 on the inside and scored 28 points against the Lynx. A few more shots for her and the Sky win the game. Tulsa has 6-8 Liz Cambage they will feed. She is no Fowles, but is still Shock's main threat on offense.

* Free throw shooting. Hasn't been that good at times. Lynx only 14 of 22 (63.6 percent) against Sky.

Best scenario for Lynx would be for starters to play well, give team a nice lead, and then get a chance to rest. Big game Tuesday at Connecticut, one of best teams in league. Sun and Indiana are two teams in chase for best record in WNBA with Lynx.

And, then, when subs come in, they play well like they did in Chicago. Would like to see all six subs get some court time. Charde Houston and Alexis Hornbuckle did not play against the Sky.

If Lynx win, they tie franchise record for most wins in regular season, which is 18, set twice in 2003 and '04, last time they were in playoffs. A Lynx win would also mean Tulsa ties WNBA record for consecutive losses of 17.