I think it's because the halving. The halving on 2016 makes the price of bitcoin increase so high, i think that's why many people predict the price will keep increase up to $1200.
As described in the above quote, because of halving most of the users considered 2016 to be the year of bitcoin. With this in mind most predicted the price to be over $1000. Fortunately it didn't happen and every year end price increase happens. Though halving is over, but its the year of bitcoin users continue to make predictions of price over $1200 and more.