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The way the Boston Celtics are playing these days, perhaps the NBA should rename the Atlantic Division the Celtics Division.

Prior to their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum, Boston was riding a three-game win streak on the road, downing Oklahoma City, Dallas and Miami – an impressive feat in itself.

But the Celtics probably did not count on the Grizzlies to compete mightily with them for 48 minutes, ye thtat is exactly what Memphis did as the game went into overtime. But it would be a key three-pointer by Ray Allen that would turn the tables, allowing Boston to hold off Memphis 116-110.

The first half was relatively close as the Celtics and Grizzlies were tied at 27 after one quarter of play, but Boston would outscore Memphis 27-22 to take a slim 5-point lead as both teams went to their respective locker rooms at the break.

The Grizzlies tightened up their defense as they allowed the Celtics just 3 points over the last 4:07 of the third quarter; a pair of free throws by Marc Gasol would allow Memphis to tie the game at 73 going into the fourth quarter.

A jumper by Kevin Garnett would help Boston regain the lead, but Memphis took it back on a basket by rookie Greivis Vasquez, putting the Grizz up 88-87 halfway through the fourth.

A layup by Rudy Gay gave Memphis a three-point edge, but Boston went on an 8-2 run to take a 97-94 lead on a Glen Davis layup with 3 minutes left to go.

Allen’s jumper made it 99-95 before Gay scored a pair of baskets which would force the game into overtime.

Davis would hit a jumper and Allen would convert a trey, giving the Celtics a 104-99 lead in the extra period; Paul Pierce’s four free throws in the final 1:30 sealed Boston’s seventh win in their last 8 games.

Six Celtics scored in double-digits, led by Pierce with 28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block while Shaquille O’Neal and Garnett added 18 apiece – with O’Neal grabbing 6 rebounds, along with a steal and a block while Garnett grabbed 9 boards, dished out 2 assists along with 3 steals and a block. Allen and Nate Robinson each chipped in 15, with Allen making three treys, grabbing a rebound, dishing out 5 assists along with a steal while Robinson also making 3 three-pointers, grabbing a rebound, dishing out 2 assists along with a steal. Rajon Rondo notched a double-double, scoring 11 with 17 assists.

The Grizzlies were led by Gay with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and 2 blocks while Zach Randolph added 21 with 11 rebounds and an assist. Gasol chipped in 14 with 6 rebounds, 5 assists along with 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Boston (8-2) gets a three-day rest until Wednesday night when they host the Washington Wizards while Memphis (4-6) travels to Orlando to take on the Magic Monday night.