Two new potential stars and one familiar face in a new uniform highlight the Nuggets' early-season schedule, which tips off on Halloween.

Kevin Durant, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft in June, will make his pro debut Oct. 31 when the Nuggets start their season at home against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Seven days later, on Nov. 7, the Nuggets will get their first look at Kevin Garnett in a Celtics uniform when they travel to Boston to play the former Minnesota Timberwolves forward.

Then, in back-to-back home games Nov. 12 and 14, the pride (prides?) of Ohio comes to town.

First, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Pepsi Center in a game that will feature two of the league's top scorers in Carmelo Anthony (28.9, second) and James (27.3, fourth).

The second game, against the Portland Trail Blazers, features former Ohio State player Greg Oden, the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal will come to town for back-to-back games when the Nuggets face the Los Angeles Lakers (Dec. 2) and Miami Heat (Dec. 5).

They'll get their first shot at defending NBA champion San Antonio on Dec. 15 when they travel to Texas. The Spurs come to the Pepsi Center on Jan. 3, and three days later, Allen Iverson will face his former team, Philadelphia, in a Sunday night game.

The Nuggets' second road game, Nov. 6, puts them in New York, site of December's brawl that resulted in 10 players being ejected and seven suspended for a total of 47 games.

The Nuggets last season went 22-19 on the road, and they'll be tested there early and late this season.

Five of the first seven games are on the road, and they finish with four of six on the road.

Their longest trip is five games, starting March 18 against Detroit, followed by games at Philadelphia, New Jersey, Toronto and Memphis.

The Nuggets got off to a slow start at home last season, but they'll need to take advantage of a schedule that has them playing seven of nine at the Pepsi Center from Nov. 30 to Dec. 20.

The Nuggets will be featured on national television 26 times (once on ABC, 10 on ESPN, nine on NBATV and six on TNT).

All other games will be aired on Altitude or Altitude2.

Six must-see games at Pepsi Center

Teen machine: Oct. 31 vs. Seattle The opener against the new-look SuperSonics is a late game on Halloween, on ESPN, with the sweet-shooting Kevin Durant looking to show everyone he's ready for the NBA after one season at Texas.

James vs. Anthony: Nov. 12 vs. Cleveland At least King James won't be dancing in baggy pants for Cleveland's Nov. 12 game at the Pepsi Center when he tries to improve his 2-5 record against U.S. Olympic teammate Anthony.

Shaq attack: Dec. 2 vs. Miami Shaquille O'Neal was a late scratch in the Miami Heat's game in Denver last season because of a knee injury, but the big man should be back for the Dec. 2 game.

Prepare to boo: Dec. 5 vs. L.A. Lakers By the time the Dec. 5 game arrives, perhaps Kobe Bryant might have settled his beef with the Lakers.

Revenge time: Jan. 3 vs. San Antonio The Nuggets gave San Antonio a run for its money in the playoffs, and Jan. 3 will see how they measure up to the defending champions.

Green Machine: Feb. 19 vs. Boston Ten-time All-Star Kevin Garnett, who is expected to make the East a beast, visits Denver on Feb. 19 for the first time as a Boston Celtic.

debruinl@RockyMountainNews.com