NEW YORK (Interstat) — The New York Liberty host the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night at Barclays Center in a WNBA matchup between two teams seeking consistency early in the season. New York (3-4) has dropped three straight, most recently a 81-74 loss to Portland on Monday. The Liberty are coming off two consecutive home defeats, including a 91-76 setback to Dallas on Sunday. Phoenix (2-5) has lost four of its last five, falling 82-80 at Atlanta on Sunday in the teams’ most recent game. Friday’s contest is a rematch of Wednesday’s game, also at Barclays Center, where Phoenix won 43-42 in the lowest-scoring game in WNBA history. That result broke a seven-game head-to-head losing streak for the Mercury against New York. Liberty forward Breanna Stewart is a key player to watch. She averaged 21.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season and has scored at least 14 points in all seven games this season. Stewart had 25 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Portland, and posted 31 points and 10 rebounds in a 106-75 win over Connecticut on May 8. Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has been productive despite the team’s struggles. She has recorded three double-doubles in her last five games, including 20 points and 12 rebounds against Atlanta on Sunday. Thomas also had a triple-double with 19 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists in a 95-79 loss at Golden State on May 10. Interstat’s game simulator projects New York winning 92-83. Phoenix is averaging 80.0 points per game while allowing 87.0. New York averages 80.4 points and allows 84.9. The Mercury’s next 10 games include five on the road, starting Monday against Minnesota. The Liberty’s next stretch includes a home game against Toronto on June 3 before a four-game road trip. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.