NEW YORK, Oct. 16 (Ticker) -- Rookie Nate Robinson always has made up for his lack of size with heart and hustle. On Sunday, his heart helped bring the New York Knicks back from a large deficit but his size ultimately cost them the game.

Robinson scored 13 points and added four steals, three assists and three rebounds but the 5-9 guard was outjumped for a crucial rebound in the final seconds as the Knicks dropped a 104-102 decision to the Dallas Mavericks.

Video highlights from Mavs-Knicks: Play

A first-round pick of the Phoenix Suns in June, Robinson was traded to the Knicks on draft day. On Sunday, he came off the bench to play 24 minutes, making 3-of-8 shots and 7-of-8 free throws, including a pair of clutch foul shots with 7.2 seconds left to tie the game at 102-102.

On the Mavericks' ensuing possession, Keith Van Horn missed a mid-range jumper but DeSagana Diop, a 7-footer in his first season with Dallas, jumped over Robinson in the lane and put back the rebound at the buzzer.

Four-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki led six Mavericks in double figures with 20 points. Josh Howard added 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting and Jason Terry contributed 13 for Dallas, which shot better than 52 percent (40-of-76) and led by as many as 16 points late in the third quarter.

Robinson wasn't the only rookie who shined for the Knicks. David Lee led the teams with 17 points in 30 minutes and fellow first-round pick Channing Frye chipped in 11 in 18 minutes for New York, which shot less than 43 percent (31-of-73) and committed 20 turnovers.