Basketball On The Internet.

AUSTRALIA's Boomers opened their Paris Olympic campaign with a bang today, smacking FIBA's world #2 ranked Spain 92-80, hustling defensive intensity, rebounding commitment and chemistry - key aspects missing at last year's World Cup, not to mention star centre Jock Landale - all to the fore.

In fact the Boomers were exemplary from the tip-off, captain Patty Mills (19 points at 50 per cent, 3-of-6 threes, 2 assists, 2 steals) knocking down three free throws to open the scoring before Landale swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 6-0 start.

The mere presence of Landale (20 points at 64 per cent, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal) made such a monumental difference to the demeanour of the team, which hustled and scurried defensively, hands-in-lanes creating eight steals, everyone going to the boards with venom. 

Josh Giddey was unstoppable early and his final stat line of 17 points (at 58 per cent), 8 rebounds and 8 assists is exactly what this team needs from him for it to be successful.

Dyson Daniels (13 points. 3-of-4 threes, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal) was a defensive terrier and Jack McVeigh (13 points at 50 per cent, 7 rebounds) also a revelation, even when played out of position as an under-size 4-man.

Yes, Giddey and Mills between them were responsible for 10 of Australia's 16 turnovers, but both were huge when it mattered most, the latter subjected to relentless Spanish defensive attention, some of it even legal.

Will Magnay fouled out seeing only 12:20 of action but again, his keyway presence also was a factor, as were his hands in the lanes. And while Josh Green went pointless, he was far from it, his on-ball pressure leading to opposition missed shots and hesitancy.

Considering Dante Exum (dislocated finger) and Duop Reath did not play - surely Reath is injured? - this was a performance full of merit, with only encouraging signs of what there is to come.

Not having beaten Spain at an Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 and having consistently been caused heartbreak and pain by the Spaniards, this win was one for the ages.

The Boomers' focus early was unwaivering, Giddey stroking the first of two NBA-range 3-pointers, the first bumping the Aussie lead to 21-9, the second restoring it at 26-14.

Usman Garuba gave up a cheap (and nasty) foul on Green and was in an unusually aggressive state of mind, prompting a minor bump from Magnay which had emotions suddenly running high.

After review and an unsportsmanlike foul on both later, Mills was soon restoring order with a 3-pointer for a 31-17 buffer.

Spain had it back to 10 by the first break before consecutive 3-pointers by Sergio Llull drew it to 27-31 on a 10-0 run.

Consistently throwing themselves on the floor on 3-point attempts, then bitching about the no calls, it came to a head after another such flop went unrequited, Spain's coach Serguo Scariolo's absurd over-the-top complaints leading to a well-deserved technical foul.

The contest became willing again after Rudy Fernandez "boxed out" Nick Kay by moving under him as he leapt for a defensive rebound, forcing the Aussie big to hit the floor particularly hard.

When tempers settled, Giddey slipped a wicked pass for a Mills reverse, then free throws by Kay pushed the lead back to 38-27.

Mills collecting his third foul for the quarter and game with 2:50 left - stunning considering the treatment he was getting - was cause for alarm, as was Magnay collecting his third. With 9.8 seconds to halftime, Spain manufactured a layup siren basket from Lorenzo Brown, trimming the Aussie lead to 49-42.

Giddey-to-Landale for a dunk was a strong start to the third quarter but Spain was about to make its best run of the game, clawing to 53-54.

When Santi Aldama (27 points, 6-of-8 threes) stroked a triple at 5:54 in the third, Spain was up 56-54 and in the lead for the first time. It was brief.

Before the Spaniards had time to enjoy the fruits of their labours, Mills drained a three and McVeigh iced another for a 60-56 momentum swing back.

A huge offensive rebound by Green led to a Landale hook and from two down, Australia was 62-56 ahead and heading for a 69-60 lead going into the last on Daniels' threeball.

Kay had his best minutes to start the fourth, scoring off a Giddey feed, then adding another with a sweet offensive rebound reverse for 73-60.

Then it was deja vu time with Llull again nailing consecutive 3-pointers to bring Spain to 68-73.

But with 5:35 left, Mills snared a big offensive rebound, leading to a pair of McVeigh free throws.

Jockeying away, the Boomers were out 82-71 on a McVeigh three, a Giddey runner bumping it to 84-71 and Australia would not be denied.

The last of Aldama's threes gave Spain a late sniff at 80-86 but an off-balance Mills three followed by a Daniels corner triple ensured Australia not only won, but did its points differential a fair amount of good in the process.

AUSTRALIA BOOMERS 92 (Landale 20, Mills 19, Giddey 17, Daniels, McVeigh 13; Landale 9 rebs; Giddey 8 assts) d SPAIN 80 (Aldama 27, Llull 17, Hernangomez 14; Garuba 7 rebs; Brown 7 assts) in Lille.