Celtics fans coming to a Neemias Queta realization the team has known all along

The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to four games with a 97-81 win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Here's what stood out:

Thank you, Derrick White

This game was not always going the Celtics’ way. They found themselves down by as many as 11 in the second quarter, before turning the game on its head.

Without Derrick White’s 18 first-half points, it could’ve been much, much worse. White gave Boston a lifeline, when they had absolutely nothing going. At one point, the Celtics were shooting just 33% from the field, while White and Jordan Walsh were their only players with multiple field-goal makes.

The Cs mounted a 19-5 run to close the half, which gave them a four-point lead at the break. Had White not helped them hang around, it could’ve been a completely different story in Phoenix.

Ron Harper Jr. is ready if needed

Ron Harper Jr. got the nod for his second career start on Thursday in Jaylen Brown’s absence. He made the most of his minutes, despite not shooting the ball particularly well. Right from the opening tip, he was all over the glass with four first-quarter offensive rebounds.

With how poorly Boston shot the ball, they needed all of the extra chances they could get.

He made a pair of triples en route to an eight-point, five-rebound night, with a loud block to take home with him.

You can rely on Neemias Queta 

Neemias Queta has held down the starting role for the Celtics all season long. He was essentially the “accidentally became important at work” meme heading into the year with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet all heading to new homes.

The Portuguese big man has given Boston a reliable presence at the rim on defense, while controlling the glass on both sides, and finishing on the offensive end. Queta logged his second-straight double-double on Thursday with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks.

Fourth quarters may be an issue to watch for the Celtics

The Celtics have held big leads heading into all three fourth quarters of this West Coast trip. All three times they’ve stumbled to start the final frame.

Against Phoenix, they saw their 23-point lead cut down to 14 points until a Derrick White floater gave them their first points four minutes into the quarter. Boston responded properly with a 10-2 run to push it back to 22 points with just under six minutes to play.

Runs are part of the game. No matter how well things are going, things can change. Three games in a row, however, might indicate a bit of a pattern.