5 players to watch out for as LA Lakers take on Boston Celtics at the TD Garden

#3 Talen Horton-Tucker - LA Lakers

Talen Horton-Tucker of the LA Lakers

LA Lakers' Talen Horton-Tucker could be an X-factor against the Boston Celtics. He has played three games for the Lakers since returning from injury.

Horton-Tucker averaged 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in those three games. Even though the Lakers went 1-2 in that period, THT was a breath of fresh air in the team's offense.

The 20-year-old swingman could be an option in offense for the LA Lakers, especially if LeBron James misses the game against the Boston Celtics. If James plays, it will be interesting to see how the team plays together for the first time this season.

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#2 Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics

With Jaylen Brown nursing a hamstring injury, Jayson Tatum has been the only bright spot for the Boston Celtics early in the season. Tatum is carrying the Celtics with averages of 26.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game since Brown went down with injury.

Since Brown's injury, the Celtics have had a respectable record of 3-3. Tatum is the next great star for the Celtics franchise, so he has to show up against their bitter rivals.

It's interesting to note that Tatum grew up as an LA Lakers fan and hated the Celtics. Some Boston fans were also unhappy about him wearing a Lakers jersey during an NBA commercial.

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#1 Anthony Davis - LA Lakers

Anthony Davis of the LA Lakers

The LA Lakers are 4-6 without LeBron James this season, and 3-5 since 'The King' went down with an abdominal injury. Anthony Davis, in particular, is at the center of it all because he was expected to carry the LA Lakers in the absence of James.

In the last eight games, Davis has averaged 22.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks per outing. That's not bad for a star, but not good enough, as the Lakers were blown out by the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during that stretch.

The LA Lakers also squandered a 19-point lead at home to the OKC Thunder, and lost to a struggling Milwaukee Bucks. Their wins during that stretch were unimpressive. That includes two labored overtime victories over the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, as well as a close win against the San Antonio Spurs.

With or without LeBron James, Anthony Davis needs to show up against the Boston Celtics. It's not a very important game as a whole, but it's something to get excited about for both fanbases.