MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Minnesota Lynx host the Chicago Sky on Sunday afternoon at Target Center in a battle of 2-1 teams early in the WNBA season. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Central. Both squads enter the contest after contrasting results. Chicago lost 91-83 at Phoenix on Friday, while Minnesota defeated Dallas 90-86 on Thursday. The Sky opened the season with consecutive road wins at Golden State and Portland before falling to the Mercury. The Lynx, meanwhile, split their first two games — a one-point home loss to Atlanta followed by a road win at Phoenix — before beating the Wings. Minnesota has been installed as a 4.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The over/under is 170.5 points. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 96-84 Lynx victory. Players to watch Chicago forward Rickea Jackson has been the Sky’s most consistent performer. The second-year pro averaged 22 points and 6 rebounds over the first three games. In Friday’s loss, she logged 32 minutes and posted 29 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. She also notched 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a 69-63 win at Golden State on May 13 and 19 points and 7 rebounds in a 98-83 victory at Portland on May 9. For Minnesota, forward Natasha Howard has been a force on both ends. The veteran posted 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in the win over Dallas. She recorded a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) against Phoenix on May 12 and had 6 points and 5 boards in the loss to Atlanta on May 9. Season series Sunday marks the first meeting of the season between the two franchises. They are scheduled to face each other three more times in the next 10 days: on May 23 in Chicago, May 29 in Chicago, and again on a date to be determined. Recent results Chicago’s other results: beat Portland 98-83 on May 9; beat Golden State 69-63 on May 13; lost at Phoenix 83-91 on May 15. Besides Jackson, guard Gabriela Jaquez added 13 points and 3 rebounds against Phoenix, and center Kamilla Cardoso had 7 points and 8 boards. Minnesota’s other results: lost to Atlanta 91-90 on May 9; beat Phoenix 88-84 on May 12; beat Dallas 90-86 on May 14. Guard Courtney Williams contributed 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists against Dallas, and forward Nia Coffey added 13 points and 8 rebounds. Looking ahead After Sunday, Chicago returns home to host Dallas on May 20, then plays Minnesota again on May 23. Minnesota travels to face Toronto on May 21 before heading to Chicago for the May 23 rematch. The Sky will aim to improve their road record, while the Lynx look to protect home court after dropping their only home game so far.