Rio Olympics qualifier: Australian Boomers defeat New Zealand Tall Blacks in Game 1 of Oceania Series

THE Aussie Boomers’ road to the Rio Olympics has gotten off to a positive start with an exciting win over the Tall Blacks in game one of the Oceania Series.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Andrew Bogut of the Boomers drives to the basket during the game one match between the Australian Boomers and New Zealand Tall Blacks at Rod Laver Arena on August 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

NBA guards Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova have combined to help the Boomers cap off a dream night for Australian basketball.

The two superstars both shone as the Boomers scored a thrilling 71-59 win over New Zealand in what was an enthralling battle.

Mills was at his devastating best, particularly late in the game, to finish with 17 points and four assists, while Dellavedova starred with 15 points and four assists.

Corey Webster was outstanding for New Zealand with 22 points.

The Tall Blacks perform the Haka pre match. Pic: Michael Klein

It was a perfect night for Basketball Australia with everything going to script.

It was billed as the homecoming and Rod Laver Arena was packed to the rafters with a sold-out crowd of 15,062 in attendance.

It was the biggest Australian basketball crowd since the 2000 Olympics.

“This is the best home crowd I have ever played in front of,” Mills gushed during a half-time on-court interview.

Patty Mills of the Boomers gestures after making a basket during the game one match between the Australian Boomers and New Zealand Tall Blacks.

That had to do with the galaxy of NBA stars in attendance, such as Mills himself.

The fans came to see the likes of Andrew Bogut and Dellavedova in action.

The stars didn’t disappoint and the Boomers are now on the brink of automatic qualification for the Rio Olympics.

Game two of the series, which will be decided on aggregate, will be played in New Zealand on Tuesday night.

The Boomers should head there with confidence after last night’s hard fought victory

Although the Tall Blacks proved last night they will not go with down without a fight.

Australia started the match with Melbourne United star Chris Goulding, Cam Bairstow, Ryan Broekhoff, Bogut and Dellavedova.

Nate Jawai of the Boomers.

It was the latter who scored the opening points of the night with a lay-up, much to the appreciation of his home fans in Melbourne.

It was a starting five boasting three NBA players, yet it was the visiting side that started the better.

Taking advantage of Australia’s early nerves, the Tall Blacks jumped out to a handy lead.

New Zealand led by four points at quarter-time before Australia found settled and found its rhythm.

Dellavedova had a bit to do with that.

The Cleveland Cavaliers NBA guard started to hit his shots and Mills came along for the ride.

The late inclusion to the Boomers’ squad started off the bench and quickly found his range.

It helped the Boomers to an eight-point lead at half-time.

Matthew Dellavedova of the Boomers.

The lead skipped to 11 points when Mills sunk another big shot during the third term, yet the Tall Blacks kept coming.

Webster was proving unstoppable for New Zealand, playing almost a lone hand offensively.

The Boomers led by just five points at the final change and then by just three points midway through the final term.

Again it was Mills who stepped up, draining two huge three-pointers late in the game to help the Boomers close it out.

See how the Boomers’ win unfolded in the blog below.

Originally published as Rio Olympics qualifier: Australian Boomers defeat New Zealand Tall Blacks in Game 1 of Oceania Series