I wouldn't say that the Celtics will make the playoffs, but they could. I said before the season started that the playoffs were in the range of possible outcomes for the Celtics. That was partly based on the belief that a 35-win team might be able to sneak into the 8th seed. Some people said there was zero chance. If anyone is still clinging to that belief, are they projecting their desires and ignoring reality?
I'd accept people pessimistically estimating that the Celtics have as low as a 15% chance of ending up in the playoffs and I'd find anything more than 60% as insane homerism.