Rookie Thornton responds like a veteran

On one hand, it seemed like a giant mismatch.

Vince Carter, a perennial All-Star against Al Thornton, the Clippers’ rookie forward.

But with Carter guarding Thornton for much of the final stretch during the Clippers’ 120-107 overtime victory against the New Jersey Nets on Saturday, Thornton put together one of his finest pro quarters.

Thornton made all four of his shots in the fourth quarter and made four free throws in helping the Clippers beat a team twice for the first time this season. Thornton scored 15 of his 22 points after the third quarter, not to mention his 30-foot running bank shot as time expired in the third quarter.

“Vince is a great player,” Thornton said. “I was just able to catch a little rhythm. When I catch the ball in certain spots, I think I can be efficient.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy liked what the matchup presented. The ball was directed to Thornton late in the game and toward the end of it, he was drawing double teams.

“He’s shown in practice where he’s been so explosive and so good, that I was looking for another avenue to go and we explored that matchup and he did well with it, so we kept going with it,” Dunleavy said.

Thornton is shooting only 65.2% from the free-throw line, but made five of his six Saturday.

Lately, the video staff has filmed Thornton shooting from the line at different angles in practice to ensure that his form is consistent throughout games.

“He’s explosive, he’s quick getting to the rim,” Dunleavy said. “He made his free throws and it’s just a matter of rhythm, confidence, that whole kind of thing about being a rookie and kind of learning your way and feeling your way.”

The next plateau for Thornton to conquer?

Getting over the hump and notching more than his career high of two assists in a game.

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The Utah Jazz and a matinee game. Two things that haven’t gone the Clippers’ way this season.

The Jazz handily beat the Clippers in Utah on Friday, 106-88, and the Clippers are 1-3 this season in early-starting games.

Dunleavy said he was disappointed in how the team came out mentally against the Jazz when the Clippers gave up 46 points in the paint in Utah.

“I think we know what we have to do, it’s just a matter of being able to do it,” Dunleavy said. “They’ve got some guys that are very physical and are willing to bang. You’ve got to be sharp to play them.”

TODAY

vs. Utah, 12:30, Ch. 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 12-24, Jazz 23-18.

Record vs. Jazz -- 0-1.

Update -- The Jazz is 17-3 at home, but only 6-15 on the road. Utah’s last road win came Dec. 21 against the Orlando Magic. The Jazz is second in the league in shooting percentage at 48.9%.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com