Basketball On The Internet.

AUSTRALIA’s Boomers were like bulls in a china shop today, smashing China 93-68 to consolidate second place in their pool at the Rio Olympics.

Coach Andrej Lemanis had the luxury of resting Andrew Bogut, who has logged many more minutes than anticipated during his hasty rehab from a left knee injury, and also seized the chance to get more time into his benchmen.

Consequently, Cameron Bairstow led the scoring with 17, from Brock Motum on 15, with Ryan Broekhoff also in double digits for the first time.

Matthew Dellavedova played less than half the game for his eight assists and Patty Mills took just four shots for his five points, also playing less than two quarters.

Delly still could have had double-figure assists despite his limited time, but for some missed golden opportunities.

But Australia was cool, composed and focused as it steadily wore down the Chinese wall with some great defensive pressure and exemplary team play for 34 assists.

WHAM BAM CAM: Cam Bairstow led Australia's scoring. Picture courtesy FIBA

Kevin Lisch had six, Joe Ingles four, Mills and Damian Martin three apiece, as the Boomers showed individual accolades are not the priority when your eyes are on medalling.

The Boomers also smashed China on the boards 35-21, drawing further ahead in every direction the further the game evolved, their biggest lead 27 points.

It wasn’t the greatest start though when David Andersen, elevated in the absence of Bogut, picked up an early second foul to depart the game after just 2:32 of action.

Bairstow came in for an immediate turnover and Aron Baynes followed with one of his own as China took the early going, Yi Lianjian particularly dominant, outside and in.

Offensively, Bairstow became a steady presence with seven points in an early 13-13 tie, with the Boomers’ defence at times copybook, forcing two 24-second shot-clock violations.

Lisch hustled his tail off and when Motum popped in a miss by Broekhoff, Australia led 17-14 at the end of the first period.

Jianlian erased the lead immediately with a 3-pointer but Dellavedova was rolling, his runner soon after bumping the Aussie lead to 23-19.

Mills’ 3-pointer broke a 23-23 deadlock and Broekhoff’s triple made it 29-23 at 6:32.

Martin added his trademark hustle and Andersen, back from an extended rest, got his offence going.

A Mills reverse and it was suddenly 36-29, China showing the first signs of faltering.

At 2:12 from halftime, Mills-to-Ingles on the break and a 38-29 Boomers’ lead forced China into a timeout.

Motum’s eighth point pushed the lead to double digits for the first time and it stayed there, Australia ahead 44-34 at the main break. Baynes also had eight at the break and Delly six assists, Jianlian leading all scorers with 14.

But he only finished with 20 as Australia clamped down after the main break, Andersen’s jumpshot making it 46-34 before Ingles served Dellavedova’s cut with a princely assist, the Boomers away.

MOTIVATED MOTUM: Brock Motum slams China. Picture courtesy FIBA

Martin hit his second 3-pointer of the Games - he remains a perfect 2-of-2 from long range – then came up with a steal before also drawing a picture-perfect charge.

Lisch’s triple bumped the lead to 74-52, Bairstow knocking down a pretty hook shot, Chris Goulding involving teammates with some slick passing.

Venezuela is the last pool opponent before the all-important KO crossover game which ultimately will determine the Boomers’ fate.

AUSTRALIA BOOMERS 93 (Bairstow 17, Motum 15, Baynes, Andersen, Broekhoff 12; Bairstow 9 rebs; Dellavedova 8 assts) d CHINA 68 (Jianlian 20, Guo 11; Jianlian 9 rebs; Guo 5 assts).