The Boomers have begun their charge towards the 2016 Rio Olympics, downing New Zealand by 12 points in their opening qualifying clash on Saturday.

NBA stars Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Cameron Bairstow all got a run in Australia’s 71-59 win, giving the 15,062 fans at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena plenty to cheer about.

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Not since the 2000 Sydney Olympics has Australia hosted a bigger basketball crowd.

And not many games come bigger for the Boomers, who only need to win – or at least not lose by more than 11 points – in the second-leg of the Oceania series in Wellington on Tuesday to book a spot at Rio.

Despite having only joined the squad on Monday after answering a late call to replace the injured Dante Exum, Mills proved crucial in green and gold with 17 points, as did David Andersen.

Point guard Dellavedova laid on 15 points and five rebounds, showing no signs of fatigue after a gruelling NBA playoff series for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bogut, fresh from his championship-winning campaign with the Golden State Warriors, looked free from the soreness that limited his preparations.

He played 21 minutes, adding four points – including a crowd-pleasing dunk on the run in the second quarter.

Earlier, the Opals defeated New Zealand’s Tall Ferns 61-41 in the opening game of their qualifying series.

Australia’s women’s basketball team are one win away from securing a place at next year’s Rio Olympics after beating New Zealand by 20 points in the first of two qualifying games.

The 61-41 victory at a packed Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Saturday extended the Opals’ unbeaten record against the Tall Blacks in the Oceania championships dating back to 1974.

– AAP