Heat live by the three, die by the three

It is the common refrain — you either live by the 3-pointer, or die by it.

Many teams have tried to build their offensive strategy around ball spacing, drive and kicks and making long-range shots. This age of analytics has put even more emphasis on the long-range shot.

Of course, the Playoffs can change that strategy. A cold snap can cause an offense to stagnate, especially if they cannot get to the basket.

Enter the Heat.

Dwyane Wade was playing his second game after missing some time with an injury and was not quite back to himself. The Heat have relied heavily on the 3-pointer, spreading the floor around Chris Bosh or spreading the floor around Wade’s drives, to set up the offense. That is how the Heat are going to try to make their money this year.

Monday against the Wizards, the Heat got their bad break from beyond the arc. They shot just 2 for 22 from beyond the arc, while the Wizards shot 10 of 19 from beyond the arc, including 23 points from Rasual Butler, including three 3-pointers in the Wizards’ 107-86 win at Verizon Center. An unlikely hero for Washington.

Chris Bosh (MIA) — 21 pts., 8 rebs.; Dwyane Wade (MIA) — 20 pts.
Rasual Butler (WAS) — 23 pts.; John Wall (WAS) — 18 pts., 13 assts.
Game to Watch (12/2): Mavericks vs. Bulls, 8 p.m.

The Heat shoot 23.4 3-point attempts per game, among the top half of the NBA. They are sixth in the league with a 36.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc. This is a team that has to hit and make 3-pointers to be successful. Nights like Wednesday are another reminder of how fickle that 3-point line can be.

Wade has to be a player attacking and finishing around the basket to set up those good looks for Miami.

That did not happen despite Wade’s 20 points on an efficient 9-for-13 shooting. Six of those attempts came at the rim for Wade, so it was more about the Heat just missing shots.

That happens. And that means losses like this. Especially when the opponent makes 3-pointers at the rate Washington made them.