Patty Mills
April 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. REUTERS/Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Australian Boomers are a game away to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after defeating New Zealand 71-59 in the FIBA Oceania Championship at a jam-packed Rod Laver Arena. However, the Tall Blacks are still confident they can bounce back from the team’s defeat in Melbourne as Paul Henare’s side takes the series in their homeland.

Boomers are the favourites to win the FIBA Oceania series after Saturday’s strong performance led by NBA guards Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova. But despite the loss against Australia, New Zealand coach Henare believes the Tall Blacks can still turnaround the two-game series.

"We get to regroup and head home to our own fans and I know the boys are looking forward to getting back and having another crack in Wellington,” Henare said, reports NZ City. "We are down 12 at halftime, this is a two-game series so this whole preparation and how we have looked at this is as if it is an 80-minute game.”

Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis admitted that the Tall Blacks gave them a hard time, but the consistent intensity and defensive efforts were the keys to hold down a good three-point shooting team to a low three-point shooting percentage, reports SBS. Australia will head to Wellington with a 12-point advantage, but with the home court advantage in the Tall Blacks’ side, the Boomers can expect a huge crowd against them.

Australia used the NBA experience of both Mills and Dellavedova. Mills, who replaced Utah Jazz point guard Dante Exum due to a torn ACL, connected with his teammates as if he was part of Boomers’ month long preparation. The San Antonio Spurs guard finished with 17 points and came up with key three pointers that helped the Australians retain their lead in the closing minutes of the game.

Meanwhile, Cleveland Cavalier guard Dellavedova was also in basketball shape, creating plays for his team while contributing 15 points. Golden State Warriors centre Andrew Bogut only scored four points in 21 minutes, but the big man looked free from the soreness that limited him from the team’s tune-up games. New Zealand’s Corey Webster had a game-high 22 points, but he was the only Kiwi to reach double figures.

New Zealand needs to win more than 12 points on Tuesday to qualify for Rio Olympic. Any other result will force the Kiwis to qualify via a repechage tournament.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.