The Money Line: WNBA odds for Friday, May 26

New York Liberty (+4.5, -110)
Seattle Storm (-4.5, -110)
Total: 156

Both sitting at 2-1 early in the season, both the Liberty and Storm are considered second-tier title contenders after the Lynx and Sparks. Both teams also are relying on two or three players to get them to that level too, and some have performed better than others so far.

Jewell Loyd has been an absolute revelation for Seattle, not only leading the leading in scoring with 26 points per game, but shooting an otherworldly 61.5 percent from deep and 60 percent from the field. The savvy veteran of the squad, Sue Bird, laced them up for the first time last weekend and dished out 10 assists in a 81-71 victory over the Mystics. Breanna Stewart has struggled early, scoring just 10.5 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting, but the rest of the team has done reasonably well while they wait for her to return to form.

The Liberty had several questions asked about them once Brittany Boyd went down with a season ending injury, and Epiphanny Prince was the answer to most of those questions. 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting, in conjunction with 22 points and 11 rebounds from Tina Charles, Prince help lead the Liberty to a hard fought 69-67 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Still trying to play at the fast pace they set out to play at during preseason (they are middle of the pack right now pace-wise), New York has struggled to score, averaging just 71 points per game, the worst in the league.

Flying to the opposite coast is never easy, that’s why I like Seattle here and I think I’ll take the under.