Don't buy the Houston Rockets' turnaround yet

Houston has simply been a different team away from the Toyota Center, where they are 6-1. On the road? The Rockets are 0-5.

Even that excellent home record comes with caveats. The Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings in consecutive home games, but the Kings were missing All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox for both contests. They beat a Denver Nuggets team without Jamal Murray, a Pelicans team missing starters Herb Jones and C.J. McCollum, and blew out a Lakers team that didn’t have Anthony Davis.

There are certainly bright spots for Houston. Young center Alperen Sengun is averaging 20.9 points and is second on the team in assists (5.7). Dillon Brooks is shooting 50 percent from three-point range, and Jae’Sean Tate is making over 42 percent of his triples. Tari Eason has emerged as a defensive force.

But two key young players aren’t playing great. Jalen Green is scoring 18 points per game but making less than 40 percent of his shots. Last year’s No. 3 pick, Jabari Smith Jr., has improved his efficiency, but his scoring, rebounding and blocked shots are all down from his underwhelming rookie season.

As Houston prepares to face the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooks hasn’t been able to resist talking trash about his old team, referring to himself as “the girlfriend (they) used to have.”

But he could be a little premature in celebrating the Rockets’ swagger, especially after their three-game losing streak. Houston may have a new identity, but until that identity involves winning a game on the road, Brooks should pump the brakes on taking a victory lap.