New York vs. Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The New York Liberty look to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they visit the Portland Fire on Tuesday night at Moda Center.

New York (2-0) opened the season with a dominant 106-75 win over Connecticut on Friday, then rallied for a 98-93 overtime victory at Washington on Sunday. The Liberty have won both meetings against the expansion Fire this week, including a 0-0 result Monday in a game that did not count in the standings due to a scheduling anomaly.

Breanna Stewart has been the catalyst for New York’s fast start. The forward played 39 minutes Sunday, scoring 23 points with nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. In the season opener, she logged 31 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes. Stewart is averaging 27 points and 9.5 rebounds through two games.

Portland (0-1) opened its inaugural season with an 83-98 home loss to Chicago on Saturday. Guard Carla Leite led the Fire with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes. Sarah Ashlee Barker added 13 points and four rebounds, while center Luisa Geiselsoder contributed eight points and seven boards.

The Fire will need a stronger defensive effort against a Liberty offense that has averaged 102 points per game. New York’s depth was on display Sunday, with Marine Johannes scoring 25 points and Pauline Astier adding 18 points and seven assists.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, New York has a 51.70 percent probability to win. Oddsmakers installed the Liberty as 13.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 169.5.

The teams meet again Thursday in Portland before the series shifts to New York on May 25.