Basketball On The Internet.

AUSTRALIA today turned a 12-point deficit into an 18-point win behind a powerful display by Liz Cambage, belting Brazil 84-66 to open its Rio Olympics campaign.

Despite the relentless and loud exhortations of a rabid home crowd, the Opals weathered the storm with Cambage (pictured below at practice with another of today's stars, Marianna Tolo) producing a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double.

Leilani Mitchell scored 18 at 50 per cent while dishing six assists, captain Penny Taylor delivering 17 points at 60 per cent.

And perhaps the unsung star was Cayla George, who played just 11:34 but had a brilliant last quarter with nine points on 3-of-3 threes.

Iziane Castro threatened to rip the heart from Australia’s Olympic campaign with a mind-blowing first half before finishing on 25 points from 10-of-17 shooting.

But her going off the boil in the second half until a late flurry, coincided with the Opals’ lift in defensive intensity after the break.

Coach Brendan Joyce started the second half with Mitchell, Rachel Jarry, Taylor, Marianna Tolo and Cambage and after Brazil pulled its 39-35 halftime lead to 47-40, its wheels fell off.

A Jarry three and a Taylor drive ignited a 9-0 run, Tessa Lavey’s drive tying it and Taylor’s drive giving Australia the lead 49-47.

A succession of free throw trips allowed Brazil back into the lead at 51-49 but after Taylor tied it again, it was all the Opals.

Erin Phillips stole the ball to feed Mitchell who finished a tough fast break layup for 53-51.

Then Mitchell returned the favour, hitting Phillips with a pass for a three in transition and 56-51.

A Tolo steal and Mitchell free throw had the lead at 57-51 and although Brazil pulled it back to 53-57 at the last break, the end was in sight.

That end was up-close-and-personal when Mitchell opened the fourth with a 3-pointer, George added her triple and Cambage posted a three-point play for a 9-0 start, 66-55 lead.

A George steal and Mitchell three bulged it to 69-56 before George’s second 3-pointer for 72-58.

With 3:17 left, Castro completed a three-point play for 64-75 but it was Brazil’s last hurrah, Jarry’s three officially closing the door.

There still was time for George (below) to set up Tolo for a three-point play and to sink another 3-pointer as the Opals’ finish belied what had gone before.

Australia had jumped to an early 6-2 lead with baskets from Cambage and Taylor.

Forcing an early 24-second shot-clock violation, the Opals looked solid, Cambage with eight of their 10 points in a 10-6 lead.

But Castro led Brazil to the front and with the home crowd roaring its approval, the Opals looked rattled.

Cheering not only their beloved home team but also any misses or mistakes by the Aussies, the Brazilian fans lifted their side, Castro with her 12th point giving them a shocking 24-14 lead.

Cambage had 10 of Australia’s 14 at the break but when Castro opened the scoring in the second, Brazil was ahead 26-14.

Castro was 6-of-6, then 7-of-7 for her 16th point as the lead stayed constant at 28-16, Castro’s scoring running level with the Opals!

A Mitchell 3-pointer and buckets by Cambage and Taylor dragged Australia back to 24-30 and the Opals were alive.

Tolo cut the deficit to two and Cambage had it back to 29-30 from the free throw line.

A ridiculous off-balance banking 3-pointer by Palmira Marcal pushed Brazil to 33-29 before a Cambage play that had shades of her Twitter buddy Andrew Bogut earlier in the day when she dribbled the length of the floor and took it to the hoop.

A head clash between Brazilian teammates Marcal and Damiris Dantas delayed the game for a few minutes before Taylor copped a super-fast 5-second inbounds violation.

But after halftime, it was 49-27 by the Aussies, including an imposing 27-13 final quarter to KO one of their traditional rivals.

AUSTRALIAN OPALS 84 (Cambage 20, Mitchell 18, Taylor 17, George 9; Cambage 14 rebs; Mitchell 6 assts) d BRAZIL 66 (Castro 25, Dantas 11, Moises 9; Santos 13 rebs; Moises 7 assts).