The Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association have been the ugly duckling in Denver's professional-sports scene for years. However, they continue to raise expectations with top-draft picks and exciting young players. From November to April, the Nuggets play at the Pepsi Center (1000 Chopper Circle, Auraria. 303/405-8555. www.nba.com/nuggets). The 19,000-seat arena, which opened in 1999, is also the primary spot in town for large musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen and Christina Aguilera.