The Australian men's basketball team has received a massive boost ahead of this week's world championships in Japan, knocking off European powerhouse France in a warm-up tournament in China.

Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut, the lone NBA representative in the inexperienced Boomers line-up, scored 20 points as Australia claimed a desperately needed 77-71 victory in the Stankovic Cup in Nanjing, China.

France claimed bronze at last year's European championships and boasts a bevy of NBA regulars, including championship-winning guard Tony Parker of San Antonio, Phoenix forward Boris Diaw and Golden State's Mickael Pietrus.

The French outfit also downed bogey side and current European champion Greece in the tournament.

Brian Goorjian's Australian team trailed for most of the first three quarters in a sometimes fiery encounter, but a Brad Newley three-pointer late in the third term gave the Boomers a 52-51 lead.

Australia then held on to claim a six-point triumph that will do wonders for team morale ahead of the world titles.

The Boomers have had a massive turnover of talent in recent years and are also without first-team regulars Chris Anstey, Matt Nielsen, Glen Saville and David Andersen.

The team lost a series to New Zealand last month for only the second time in history and wasn't expected to make any impact in Japan.

But Australia was competitive in a narrow defeat to Greece on Friday and has taken another big step forward.

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