Basketball On The Internet.

JAPAN gave Australia a major hiccup at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Turkey, the Opals' 10-point winning margin deceptive but also reflective of the team's greater depth, a late 3-point barrage and solid bench contribution from Zitina Aokuso raising the green 'n' gold flag for the second time in two outings.

The Opals swamped Argentina 91-65 in their series opener, reigning WNBL MVP Isobel Borlase coming off the bench for a game-high 19 points at 75 per cent, with three 3-point swishes.

Why the Olympian isn't starting can remain a mystery, coach Sandy Brondello only modestly fluctuating her starters in the two games, Sami Whitcomb, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith and Steph Talbot the constants, Alex Wilson getting the nod against Argentina and Jade Melbourne in against Japan.

Clearly weighing point guard options - with Whitcomb starting, that's already solved, surely ... Australia won bronze at the 2022 World Cup with her in that role - the Opals' starts have not really been an issue.

But their inability to defend the 3-point line against Japan looked as if the team still was following that Cheryl Chambers scout for Shannon Seebohm a couple of Asia Cups back.

Despite Aussie bigs Alanna Smith (12 points at 50 per cent, 9 rebounds) and Ezi Magbegor (14 points at 50 per cent, 4 assists) further consolidating their status as the nation's finest 4-5 punch since Batkovic-Jackson, Japan played with sufficient poise and ball movement to produce a 29-13 second quarter.

Kokoro Tanaka's 3-pointer to close the third period meant Japan led 67-58 with a period to play.

Borlase opened the last quarter scoring before Maki Takada's basket meant Japan led 69-60.

And that, as they say, was that. That would prove the single field goal Japan would have for the entire quarter.

Another Borlase basket ignited a 21-2 Aussie avalanche which steadily buried any hopes Japan had held of producing an upset.

Not only was Australia's defence mesmerising, but what happened after Magbegor trimmed it to 64-69 - and Azusa Asahina dropped in a free throw for Japan's second-to-last point - was fit for a time capsule.

Talbot iced a corner three for 67-70 and 40 seconds later repeated the dose from the same spot to tie the game.

Then it was Smith's turn to sink a 3-pointer for a 73-70 lead, ahead of Ramu Tokashiki converting one of two free throws for 71-73.

The Opals went forward and this time it was a Whitcomb 3-pointer breaking Japan's resolve - Australia's fourth triple in succession. Whitcomb's 17 points at 60 per cent included 4-of-7 threes.

Magbegor made it 78-71, then decided she wanted to join in the long-range fun, sinking a 3-pointer of her own for the final 81-71 scoreline.

Aokuso's 10-point, 7-rebound return in 14 minutes was a solid performance and Chloe Bibby also made the most of her 3:52 of action, sinking a triple with her only shot attempt.

*FIBA World Cup Qualifying Series

Australia Opals 91 (Borlase 19, Magbegor 16, Melbourne 12; Smith, Magbegor 7 rebs; Smith 5 assts) d Argentina 65 (Chagas, Mungo 17; Gretter 7 rebs; Gretter 6 assts) in Turkey.

Australia Opals 81 (Whitcomb 17, Magbegor 14, Smith 12, Aokuso 10; Smith 9 rebs; Wilson 7 assts) d Japan 71 (Tanaka 17, Yamamoto, Hirashita 16; Machida 6 rebs; Machida 10 assts) in Turkey.

*Australia has already qualified for the World Cup in Berlin.