Derrick Rose ready to return against Portland, and doing so ghost-free

PORTLAND – Derrick Rose obviously wasn’t seeing ghosts on Tuesday.

The Bulls point guard was cleared to start against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle, and said that he wasn’t dwelling on the house of horrors that has been the Moda Center for him and his teammates.

Besides the Bulls losing seven straight in Portland, this was also the scene of the crime for Rose when he tore his right meniscus just 10 games into the 2013-14 season. He didn’t play in the game last year, dealing with a sore left hamstring, so Tuesday was his return.

“No, I can’t think about that,’’ Rose said of his recent history in that building. “The past is the past. It could have happened anywhere. It just happened here, and I haven’t thought about it until you just said it, so kind of like just leave that in the past.’’

As far as his current injury, coach Fred Hoiberg said he would start Rose and keep an eye on how he looks as far as minutes.

“Stiffness, but no soreness,’’ Rose said of the ankle. “That’s a good thing. Just can’t wait to play. It’s been a long time. Sat out two games, so I’m excited about playing.

“[As far as minutes] I think it’s touch and feel, see how it goes and if I get winded or I feel any discomfort when I’m out there, for sure I will let them know.’’