Behind a polished performance from Matthew Dellavedova and the streaky shooting of Patty Mills, Australia claimed the advantage in the FIBA Oceania Championships, defeating New Zealand 71-59 on Saturday.

For the first time in 15 years, Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena hosted an international basketball event, with a boisterous local crowd on hand to see the Boomers prevail.

Patty Mills lit a fuse beneath the hosts after a tepid opening to Game 1, finding rhythm on the back of a pair of mid-range pull-ups.

A long-range bomb from Cameron Bairstow pushed the margin to eight points in the dying embers of the first half, with the Boomers shielding a 34-26 lead through 20 minutes.

Recently crowned NBA champion Andrew Bogut contributed four points and four rebounds in 22 minutes, having made his return to the national team during their European Tour after a seven-year absence.

A lob pass courtesy of Dellavedova with 2:41 remaining in the second period set Bogut up for an easy finish at the rim - a clear first-half highlight for Australia.

The one-two connection between the NBA Finals adversaries was part of a hot stretch in which Dellavedova splashed a catch-and-shoot triple.

The Bogut-led Boomers line-up was forced to overcome 11 points and five rebounds from Tall Blacks captain Mika Vukona, who established a rugged presence on the visitors’ frontline.

New Zealand Breakers star and Tall Blacks wing Corey Webster poured in 22 points, managing to shake free from the Boomers' heavy attention.

Webster made the most of his chances, routinely curling off of screens and punishing Australia with his fluid perimeter jump shot. But the outside assault wasn't enough to subdue the Boomers.

With the scoreline inching too close for comfort, Mills rocketed up the floor and buried a pull-up three-point attempt in transition.

The dagger from the right side of the floor was followed by another Mills three on the ensuing possession, creating pandemonium amongst the 15,000-plus spectators.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday evening, with the Tall Blacks owning one chance at redemption before what will assuredly be a raucous Wellington crowd.